THE 

TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE, 

A 
SACRED  POEM; 

BEING 
A  PARAPHRASE  OF  THE  WHOLE 

'Booh  of  3[ofc, 

AND 

ID   /S  AV    F.SVLANAT011Y   COMMENT    : 

V 

DIVINE  ORIGINAL, 

?.1-ED    WITH     CRITICAL   NOTES    UPON     - 
OF   ITS   PASSAGES. 

LV  SIX  PARTS. 


TO  WHICH   IS    A 

DISSERTATION  UPOXTHE  BOOK  O 


BY  CHAUNCEY  LEE,  A.  M. 

PASTOR  OF  A  CHURCH   IN  COLEBROOK. 


Ye  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have  seen 
the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful  and  of  tender  mew 

JA 


HERTFORD  : 
BY  LINCOLN  AND  GLEASO3 

1806. 


'District  of  Connecticut,  ss. 

Q5e  it  remembered,  That  on  the 

.dnth  day  of  dun. ,  in  th?  thirtieth  ij'u.-  -f  the  Inde- 
'i-ndence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  CHAUN- 
gfj|  CEY  LEE  of  the  aaid  District  hath  dt-fw&i'fd  in  this 
office  the  title  of  a  Book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims 
as  Author,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit~. 

"  The  Trial  of  Virtue,  a  Sacred  Poem  ;  being  a  paraphrase 
"  of  the  while  Book  of  Job,  and  designed  as  an  Explanatory 
"'  C)mm"iit  upon  thz  Divine  OriginaL.j.ntcrsperscd  -with  criii- 
"  cat  Notes  upon  a  variety  of  its  passage s.  In  Six  Parts.  To 
"  which  -is  annexed,  A  Dissertation  upon  the  Book  of  J^b,...£y 
"  C/iauncey  Lee,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Coleorook." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the" Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Lcai-uing,  b\i  se 
curing  the  Copies  of  Maps,  Chans  and  Books  to  the  Authors 
and  Proprietors  of  such  Copies  during  the  times  therein  men 
tioned." 

HENRY  W.EDWARDS, 
Clerk  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 


PREFACE. 


_L  HE  object  of  the  Paraphraser,  in  the  following 
sheets,  is  to  excite  a  more  general  and  thorough  atten 
tion  to  this  part  of  the  sacred  writings,  and,  if  possible, 
cast  some  light  in  the  path  of  inquiry. 

To  effect  this  object,  no  reasonable  pains  have  been 
spared.  The  design,  it  is  hoped,  will  justify  the  at 
tempt,  and  the  merit  of  a  well-meant  intention,  secure 
some  interest  in  the  candor  of  the  public  ;  however, 
its  execution  may,  eventually,  full  short  of  public  use 
fulness,  or  public  expectation. 

In  such  a  work,  it  would  be  idle  to  expect  the  concur 
rence  of  the  reader's  opinion  in  every  instance.  Many 
passages  in  the  Book  of  Job  are  of  ambiguous  interpre 
tation— .some  very  obscure  ;  upon  which,  the  diffjiiag 
expositions  of  Commentators,  both  ancient  and  mod 
ern,  have  effected  little  else  but  to  render  the  darkness 
more  -visible.  In  such  a  tide  of  conflicting  opinions,  if 
the  writer  has  been  induced,  in  some  instances,  to  dis 
sent  from  them  all  ;  and,  after  the  example  of  Eli'au, 
to  shew  his  oivn  opinion,  he  hopes,  at  let.st, 
ness. 


ft  PREFACE. 

With  respect  to  the  plan  of  the  work,  some  observa 
tions  are  clue.  In  giving  the  paraph  arse  a  poetic  dress, 
the  writer  has  consulted  his  own  taste  and  sense  of 
propriety.  More  of  the  beauties  of  the  Original  may  be 
transfused  in  this  dress,  than  in  any  other.  The  Book, 
all,  excepting  the  two  first,  and  the  last  chapters,  was 
written  originally,  in  Hebrew  verse.  Its  subject,  is  the 
noblest  subject  of  poetry.  Its  style  and  figures  are 
highly  poetical.  Can  it  then,  be  less  calculated  to  com 
bine  instruction  with  entertainment,  when  restored  to 
its  original  form  ? 

In  the  execution  of  the  work,  the  design,  suggested 
in  the  title  page,  has  been  steadily  kept  in  view,  and  all 
the  amplifications  and  embellishments  indulged  by 
the  poet,  are  directed  to  this  end. — For  the  sake  of 
convenience,  it  was  thought  best,  to  cast  the  whole  into 
the  form  of  an  epic  poem,  (though  it  is  more  of  the 
dramatic  kind)  and  to  divide  it  into  six  parts,  prefacing 
each  with  its  respective  argument  ;  and,  to  prevent 
needless  repetition,  the  speakers  are  successively  intro 
duced,  with  the  prefix  of  their  names  simply.  The 
three  first  of  these  divisions  are  arbitrary — the  others,  it 
is  thought,  are  naturally  pointed  out  by  the  incidents  of 
the  poem. — The  distinction  of  the  chapters  is  kept  up 
by  numerical  letters,  and  their  several  verses,  as  the 
paraphrase  corresponds  with  the  text,  marked  by 
figures,  with  but  few  tranpo&ittons  of  their  order.  The 
whole  is  interspersed  with  critical  notes  upon  a  variety 
of  passages,  as  they  occur  ;  and,  that  it  may  serve  as  a 
kind  of  Concordance,  with  many  marginal  references 
to  corresponding  passages  of  Scripture. 


PREFACE,  % 

The  work,  with  all  its  imperfections,  is  now  laid  be 
fore  the  public,  with  an  earnest  desire  that  it  may  af 
ford  entertainment  to  the  lovers  of  Sacred  Poetry — and 
the  researches  of  the  inquirer  after  truth,  and  promote 
the  interests  of  vital  piety,  both  in  the  risen,  and  the 
rising  generation.  Perhaps  such  a  work,  if  properly 
executed,  might  furnish  a  profitable  reading  book  to 
the  more  advanced  scholars  in  our  common  schools  ; 
to  teach  them  the  art  of  reading  poetry,  and  early  in 
spire  them  with  a  taste  for  the  beauties  of  English 
verse.  And  should  the  attention  of  our  youth  general 
ly,  be  diverted  from  the  sorrows  of  Wcrter,  to  the  SOR 
ROWS  OF  JOB,  it  is  confidently  believed,  they  would  re 
alize  a  subject  of  more  rational  entertainment — a  source 
of  more  solid  and  useful  instruction,  and  the  example 
of  a  character,  more  worthy  of  their  esteem  and  imita 
tion. 

Should  all  or  any  of  these  ends  be  answered  by  the 
following  work,  all  apologies  for  its  publication  would 
be  needless — if  otherwise,  the  consequences  are  as 
obvious. 


A  2., 


PART  I. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


THE  history  of  Job,  describing  his  piety,  riches,  and  religioas- 
care  of  his  children.  Satan,  appearing  before  God,  calumni- 
atcs  Job,  and  obtains  leave  to  tempt  him.  By  repeated  messa 
ges,  Job  is  certified  of  the  loss  of  his  flocks  and  herds5  by  plun 
dering  bands  of  the  Sabeans  and  Chaldeans,  and  of  the  tragical 
death  of  his  servants  and  children. — His  heavy  grief,  and 
humble  submission  under  the  affliction. — Satan  again  appears 
before  God,  and  obtains  further  leave  to  tempt  Job — smites 
him  throughout  with  sore  boils — Job  reproves  his  wife  moving 
him  to  curse  God. — He  is  visited  by  his  three  friends,  Eliphaz, 
Bildad  and  Zophar — their  surprise  and  astonishment  at  his  ap 
pearance.  After  a  silence  of  seven  days,  Job  curses  the  day 
and  services  cf  his  birth — deprecates  life,  pathetically  describes 
the  happiness  of  death,  and  regrets  that  he  had  not  died  in 
early  infancy. — Eliphaz  reproves  Job  for  his  hypocrisy— 
teaches  that  the  righteous  are  exempted  from  outward  evils 
in  Providence,  and  the  judgments  of  God  are  inflicted  upon 
the  wicked  only — relates  his  fearful  vif.ion,to  humble  the  excel* 
lencies  of  creatures  before  God.  The  harm  of  inconsidera- 
tion.  The  end  of  the  wicked  is  misery.  God  is  to  be  regard 
ed  in  affliction.  The  happy  end  of  God's  correction. — Job 
replies — shews  that  his  complaints  are  not  causeless — wishes 
for  death — reproves  his  friends — excuses  his  desire  of  death — 
complains  of  the  great  inquietude  of  his  state,  and  supplicates 
the  Divine  compassion. 

T%J.J  Part  extends  to  the  close  of  the  Seventh  Chapter. 


THE 


TRIAL   OF  VIRTUE,, 

A  SACRED  POEM. 


AN  land  of  Uz,.as  sacred  poets  sing, 
Dwelt  ancient  Job,  a  prophet,  saint  and  king. 
Illustrious  name  !  for  patience  high  renown'd, 
Upright  his  heart,  his  life  with  virtue  crown'd. 
By  wisdom  led,  he  shunn'd  the  paths  of  sin, 
His  Maker  fear'd,  and  lov'd  his  fellow  men. 

Peaceful  and  plenteous,  was  his  outward  stale3 
For,  bounteous  Providence  had  made  him  great. 

2  Sev'n  hopeful  sons,  three  beauteous  daughters  prove 
The  tender  pledges  of  connubial  love. 

3  Sev'n  thousand  sheep,  for  him  their  fleeces  wear, 
For  him,  three  thousand  camels  burdens  bear  : 

(Ver.  1.)  '  and  that  man  teas  perfect,  &c. 

The  words  perfect,  and  perfection,  are  used,  in  the  sacred  wri-  - 
tings,  in  two  different  senses.     1.  To  express  sinless  obedience.- 
2.  To  signify  the  sincerity  of  grace,  and  an  eminent  degree  of  pi 
ety.     In  this  place,   the   word  is  undoubtedly  used  in  the  latter 
sense,  as  we  i aw  divinely  assured,  with  respect  to  the  former, 
"  There  is  not  %  just  man  upon  earth 'that  liveth  ?,r»d  sinactk 
not." 


5  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

For  him,  the  fields,  a  thousand  oxen  till, 
His  harvests  rear,  his  barns  with  plenty  fill  : 
For  him,  five  hundred  asses  teem  with  young, 
And  feed  and  bray,  the  rugged  cliffs  among. 
His  num'rous  servants,  spreading  o'er  the  plain, 
Display  his  grandeur  and  increase  his- gain. 
Thus  great  in  wealth  and  pow'r,  he  stands  confest, 
The  wonder  and  the  glory  of  the  East. 
4,  5       Exalted  thus,  his  heart  was  humble  still, 
The  father's  duties  zealous  to  fulfil  ; 
For  white  his  children,  sportive,  gay  and  young, 
Thro'  days  successive,  pour'cl  the  festal  song, 
From  house  to  house,  according  to  their  birth, 
Indulg'd  in  wine,  in  music,  feast  and  mirth  ; 
As  oft,  he  warn'd  against  temptation's  snare, 
And  sanctified  them  with  his  early  pray'r ; 
As  oft,  for  each,  th'  atoning  victim  bled, 
And  supplicating  vows  to  Heav'n  were  made. 
For  well  he  ki>ew,  the  fickle  age  of  youth, 
In  pleasure's  round,  forgets  the  path  of  truth  ; 
.The  heart's  deceit  he  knew,  and  therefore  cry'd, 
"  My  sons,  perhaps,  their  Maker  have  deny'd  ; 
"  'Mid  scenes  of  mirth,  despis'd  his  glorious  praise/ 
"  Abus'd  his  mercy,  and  blasphem'd  his  ways." 
Thus  the  good  father's  constant,  pious  care, 
His  children  watch'd  by  precept  and  by  pray'r. 
6       Now,  when  the  sons  of  God,  with  joint  accord, 
Assembling,  met  to  bow  before  the  Lord  ; 

(Ver  6.)     Now  there  <was  a  day,  &c. 

Whether  the  sons  of  God,  here  mentioned,  VjjBfeto  the  saints 
o»  earth,  or  angels  in  Heaven,  is  uncertain,  .>  ips,  imma- 

t«rial-^-if  supposed  to  be  the  latter,  it  will  corretpRid  wfth  the 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  9 

Strange  to  relate,  the  arch  apostate  foe 

Came  with  the  rest,  and  seem'd  to  worship  too. 

7  Th'  Eternal  spake,  his  saints  and  angels  bow  ; 
"  Satan,  malicious  spirit,  whence  art  thou  ?" 

"  I've  rang'd  the  earth,  the  works  of  men  espi'd, 
"  And  thence  have  hither  come,"  the  fiend*repli'd. 

8  "  Hast  thou,  then,  well  consider'd,"  said  the  Lord, 
"  My  servant  Job,  obedient  to  my  word  ? 

"  His  heart  upright,  his  life  with  virtue  crown'd, 
"  His  equal  on  the  earth,  cannot  be  found  ; 
"  By  wisdom  led,  he  shuns  the  paths  of  sin, 
"  Reveres  his  God,  and  loves  his  fellow  men.H 

9  Rejoins  th'  insidious  foe,  by  malice  taught, 

"  Indeed  !  doth  Job  respect  his  God  for  notight  ? 

10  "  Will  he  rebel  against  the  partial  pow'r 

"  That  swells  his  heaps  of  favors  ev'ry  hoar  I 

"  From  ev'ry  ill,  on  ev'ry  side  defends, 

"  His  wealth  and  greatness,  peace  and  fame  extends  c 

1 1  "  But'.stretch  thy  hand,  destroy  What  thou  hast  giv'o, 
"  He'll  curse  his  God,  and  vent  his  rage  at  Heav'n." 

passage  in  1  A7rfs  xxii.  19.  With  respect  to  Satan's  appearing 
among  them,  and  conversing  with  the  Most  High,  which  has 
been  the  subject  of  so  much  infidel  derision,  it  is  to  be  viewed  as 
a  figurative  representation  of  the  infinite  supremacy  of  Jehovah, 
and  the  malice,  and  mischievous  purposes  of  Satan — that  he  can 
do  nothing,  but  by  divine  permission,  and  is  sometimes  used  as 
the  instrument  of  afflicting  the  people  of  God,  for  the  trial  of  the'ir 
virtue.  In  the  New  Testament,  it  is  declared,  that  he  goeth  a- 
bout,  as  a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour  :  and  more 
particularly,  in  Sev.  xii.  10,  he  is  called  "  the  accuser  of  the  breth 
ren,  who  accuses  them  before  God  day  and  night  "  The  instance 
of  Job  is  a  notable  example  of  his  acting  in  this  character. 

(Ver  11.)     he  ivill  curse  tbee  to  thy  face. 

The  insinuation  of  Satan  here,  is,   that- Job  was  no  better  than 


10  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

12  "  Go,  try  thy  malice  then,"  th'  Almighty  said. 
"  See  whether  virtue  be  that  empty  shade, 

"  Which,  partial,  mercenary,  mean  and  void, 
"  Loves  but  the  good  expected  or  enjoy'd. 
"  Let  Job  be  tri'd,  to  silence  envious  strife, 
"  Exempting  but  his  person  and  his  life." 

13  Job's  children  now  from  cares  and  sorrows  free,. 
At  th'  eldest's  house,  enjoy'd  their  festal  glee  ; 
When  lo  !  a  black'ning  storm  of  ills  impends, 
Bwrsts  o'er  his  head,  and  heavily  descends  ; — 

14  A  hast'ning  post  begins  the  tale  of  woes, 

15  And  thus  proclaims — "  the  fierce  Sabeans  rose, 
>  •*£  Thy  cattle  all,  have  pillag'd  from  the  plain, 

"  Thy  servants,  with  the  cruel  sword  have  slain, 

16  "And  I  alone  escap'd" — While  yet  he  spoke, 
Another  came,  his  panting  silence  broke — 

"  Thy  sheep  and  shepherds  in  the  fields  are  lost, 
"  By  thunderbolts,  all  smitten  to  the  dust. 
-  17    '<  And  wretched  I  alone  survive."     A  third 
Advancing  swift,  with  wild  affright  bestir'd, 
"  Of  the  Chaldeans,  three  assaulting  bands, 
"  With  armed  force,  have  ravag'd  all  thy  lands, 
"  Thy  camels  seizing,  led  them  far  av\ay, 
"  And  all  thy  servants  slain — ah  !  luckless  day  1 

himrclf,  and  that  all  his  religion  was  merely  selfish.  How  many- 
are  there  among  mankind,  who  imitate  this  example  of  Satan, 
by  reviling  the  children  of  God  as  hypocrites,  and  denying  the  pos 
sibility  of  disinierested benevolence,  as  a  principle  of  moral  action. 

(Ver.  14.)     And  there  came  a  messenger,  &c. 

Some  suppose  that  thete  afflictions  of  Job  in  the  loss  of  his 
children  and  property,  were  merely  a  Satanic  illusion,  and  had  no 
existence  in  tact.  But  this  idea  is  too  ridiculous  to  deserve  a  $<:• 
rious  refutation. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  il 

18  «  All  but  myself."— -A  fourth,  more  awful  still, 
Job's  cup  of  sorrow,  now  in  haste  to  fill, 
With  sighs  and  tears  approaching-,  cries  aloud, 
"  In  Judgments,  Job,  how  terrible  thy  God ! 

"  How  shall  I  tell  thee,  and  yet  how  forbear, 

"  Those  tidings,  which  will  wound  thee  most  to  hear  I 

19  "  A  whirlwind,  sudden,  and  before  unknown, 

"  Blowing,  hath  smitten,  and  the  house  o'erthrown, 
"  Where  all  thy  children  were— amazing  pow'r  ! 
"  Crush'd  in  its  wreck,  thy  children  are  no  more, 

20  '"  And  I  alone  escap'd."     Then  Job  arose, 
Rending  his  mantle  thro'  excessive  woes  ; 
In  token  of  his  grief,  his  head  all  shorn, 
He  prostrate  fell,  to  worship  and  to  mourn. 

2 1  "  Naked,  when  from  the  earth  I  came  at  first, 
"  Naked,"  saith  he,  "  shall  I  return  to  dust. 

(Ver.  19.)     And  behold,  there  came  a  great  wind,  &c. 

The  awful  fate  of  Job's  children,  perhaps,  is  a  standing,  sol 
emn  warning  to  children,  and  young  people  generally,  and  espe 
cially  to  the  children  of  pious  parents,  who,  in  despite  of  paren 
tal  instruction,  and  counsel,  give  a  loose  to  sensual  indulgences, 
and  the  gratifications  of  carnal  mirth. 

(Ver.  20  )     Then  Job  arose,  &c. 

To  rend  the  clothes,  and  shave,  or  pluek  off  the  hair  of  the 
head,  was  an  ancient  custom,  expressive  of  sudden  and  exces 
sive  grief. 

(Ver.  21.)     The  Lord  gave,  See. 

How  distinguished^-  amiable  does  the  character  of  Job  appear, 
in  this  trying  instance.  What  patience  and  fortitude  under  suffer 
ings  !  What  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  !  How  august  in  ru 
ins  !  What  an  example  to  men  !  What  a  spectacle  to  angels  ! 
How  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God  himself,  this  ornament  of*, 
atid  quiet  spirit  !  .,A 


IS  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

"  'Twas  from  the  hand  of  God,  my  comforts  came* 
"  His  hand  removes  them,  and  I  bless  his  name." 
22  Thus  patient  Job,  unmurm'ring,  kiss'd  the  rod, 
And  bow'd  submissive  to  the  will  of  God. 

II.       Again  convening  on  a  certain  day, 

The  sons  of  God  their  social  homage  pay  ; 
As  soon  th'  accuser,  Satan,  mingling  came, 
With  fell  intention,  yet  devoid  of  shame. 
2  Again,  .the  voice  divine  accosts  his  ear, 

"  Satan,  whence  comestthou,  and  wherefore  here?" 

Replied  the  demon,  "journeying  I  have  been, 

"  Rang'd  the  wide  earth,  and  view'd  the  works  of 

men." 

5  "  Se'st  thou  my  servant  Job,"  the  Lord  rejoin'd, 
"  In  duty  constant,  and  upright  his  mind  ? 
"  Mark  how  his  God  he  fears,  abhors  to  sin, 
<'  On  earth,  his  equal,  can't  be  found  again  ; 
"  His  faith  and  trust  in  God.  he  still  holds  fast, 
"  Than  gold,  more  pure,  which  has  the  furnace  past. 
"  His  upright  soul  is  humble  still — how  blight, 
14  Shine  all  his  virtues  in  affliction's  night  1 
"  Thy  suit  was  causeless,  all  thy  hopes  are  vain, 
u  By  wicked  arts,  thy  purposes  to   gr.in/' 

4  "  Enrag'd  the  tempter  stood,  and  straight  rcpli'd, 
"  Job  wears  the  mask,  his  faith  is  still  untri'd, 

"  By  smaller  ills  endur'd.     Prolong'd  his  life, 
"  And  health  enjoy 'd,  unended  is  the  strife. 

5  "  These  blessings  change  to  anguish  and  distress, 
"  And  pious  Job  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face." 

6  "  Then  seal  thy  shame,  and  close  thy  wicked  strife, 
"  Job's  comforts  all  destroy  except  his  life," 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  13 

7  Th'  Almighty  said.     At  once,  the  haughty  foe 
Forth  from  his  presence  fled,  nor  stay'd  the  blow, 
At  Job  full  aim'd.     Eruptive  boils  and  Mains 
Spread  o'er  his  skin,  and  torture  him  with  pains. 
Thro'  all  his  frame,  the  dire  disease  extends, 
Ah  !  wretched  Job  ! — an  outcast  from  his  friends  ! 

8  In  dust  and  ashes,  desolate  he  lies, 

The  madd'ning  friction  of  a  potsherd  plies  ; — 
His  aching  bones  are  pierc'd  with  nightly  pain, 
Nor  sleep  his  eyes,  nor  rest  his  flesh  obtdn  ; 
His  stiffening  clothes  but  swell  his  weight  of  woe. 
While  ulcerating  wounds,  adhesive,  flow. 
In  gloomy  solitude,  and  dreary  shade, 

9  He  heav'd  the  sigh.     His  wife,  indignant,  s?,id, 
"  And  dost  thou,  Job;  still  hold  thy  virtue  fast  ? 

"  Give  o'er — now  curse  thy  God,  ar.d  die  at  List." 
IO  "  Presumptuous  woman  !  ceas?  thy  impious  prate, 
•"  Nor  tempt  the  vengeance  of  severer  fate. 
"  For  good,  ungrateful,  shall  we  now  repine  ? 
"  And  shall  not  God  be  just  as  well  as  kind  ?" 
Thus  Job  reprov'd  her,  while  he  blest  the  Lord} 
Nor  from  his  lips  escap'd  a  sinful  word. 

(Ver.  9.)     rben  saij  his  vife,  &c. 

The  impiety  of  Job's  wife  must  have  formed  no  small  part  <A 
the  good  man's  affliction.  Precious  saint  !  how  severe  was  his 
trial !  To  have  his  nearest  earthly  friend,  the  companion  of  hi* 
life,  thus  openly  take  side  with  the  grand  adversary,  and  urge  on 
his  hellish  design  ;  we  cannot  well  conceive  the  poignancy  it  must 
have  added  to  his  distress.  Yet  he  manifests  a  spirit  of  Chris 
tian  forbearance.  He  meekly  reproves  her,  and  argues  the  case 
en  God's  behalf,  with  admirable  fortitude.  "  Shall  we  receive 
good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil," 

B 


1 1"  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

1 1  Now  the  for  spreading  tales  of  lob's  distress, 
His  distant  friends,  with  pitying  grief  impress  ; 
Three  special  friends,  with  whom  he  erst  had  spent 
Hours  of  sweet  converse,  and  his  mind  unbent 
From  bub'ness  and  from  cares— these  friends  (by 

name, 

Eliphazj  Bildud,  Zophar)  sorrowing  came, 
Each  from  his  sev'ral  home,  on  errand  kind, 
With  Job  to  mourn,  and  soothe  his  sinking  mind. 

12  When,  from  a  distance,  now  he  greets  their  eyes, 
His  form  so  chang'd,  scarce  known ;  Avith  sad  surprise, 
And  horror-smitten  with  his  deep  distress, 

Aloud  they  wept,  and  wail'd  his  hapless  case. — 
With  silent  eloquence  of  garments  torn, 
~   And  dusted  heads,  they  sat  them  down  to  mourn. 
Tensive  and  sac,  and  speechless  they  remain, 
Their  sighs  alone,  responsive  to  his  pain  ; 
Thro'  sev'n  long  days  and   nights,  their  grief  was 

dumb, 
Awful  as  death,  and  silent  as  the  tomb. 

Unhappy  Job  !  how  great  indeed  thy  grief, 
When  pity's  self  durst  not  attempt  relief! 

(Ver.  12.)     A-nd  when  they  lift  up  their  ey^es  afar  off,  &c. 

It  seems,  that  Job  was  excluded  the  enjoyment  and  the  com 
mon  rights  of  society,  as  one  infested  with  the  leprosy.  This  was 
another  aggravating  circumstance  in  his  affliction,  which  he  pa 
thetically  describes,  in  the  30th  Chapter,  and  elsewhere.  He  wag 
avoided  by  his  acquaintance  and  domestics,  and  continued  in  the 
open  air,  ora  lonely  several-house-  In  this  situation,  he  was  found 
by  bis  three  friends,  who,  at  a  distance,  discerned  him  as  an 
object  of  extreme  and  affecting  wretchedness  ;  and  in  that  situa 
tion,  it  is  probable,  their  whole  conversation  was  holden. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  15 

III.    Now  chang'd  the  scene,nor  silence  more  prevail'd* 
Job  curs'd  his  day,  and  thus  his  state  bewail'd. 

3  "  Perish  the  day,  when  first  I  saw  the  light ; 
And  perish,  too,  my  first  conception's  night. 

4  Let  death  and  darkness  seize  my  natal  day, 

5  Their  gloom  o'erspread,  without  one  cheering  ray 
Thou  golden  Sun,  refuse  to  guild  its  morn, 
Heav'n's  wrath  upon  it,   and  of  men  the  scorn. 

6  That  night,,  eternal  horrors  overspread, 
Blacker  than  Chaos,  ere  the  world  was  made  ; 
Expung'd  for  ever,  from  the  rolling  year, 
Nor  in  the  kalends  of  the  months  appear. 

(Ver.  1.)     After  this  opens!  yob  bis  mouth  end  cursed  hit  day. 

Some  observations  upon  this  passage  are  due,  in  justice  to  the' 
character  of  Job.  Many  serious  readers  are  stumbled  and  greatly 
perplexed  with  the  conduct  of  Job,  in  cursing  bis  day  ;  and  by, 
most,  it  is  viewed  as  an  act  of  enormous  wickedness,  and  utterly- 
discordant  with  the  character  given  him  in  the  first  verse  of  the 
Book. — But  I  believe  this  sentiment  is  unfounded,  and  results 
merely  from  a  misunderstanding  of  the  term,  as  it  is  here  used. — 
The  expression  is  a  Hebraism,  and  not  used  according  to  the 
idiom  of  the  English  language.  The  word  we  find  used  in  a 
ilmilar  sense  in  Eliphaz's  first  speech  (Ch.v.  3.)  "I  have  seen 
the  foolish  taking  root,  but  suddenly  I  cursed  his  habitation," 
i.  e.  I  saw,  or  Ipronounced  it  to  be  cursed.  Thus  Job  cursed  his 
day,  that  is,  declared  his  life  to  be  psrfecly  wretched,  and  under 
his  present  circumstances  worse  than  ncn-existence.  In  this  view 
it  was  rery  important  that  he  should  curse  his  day,  as  this  was 
the  only  thing  that  could  give  full  proof  that  he  was  tried  to 
the  extent  of  Satan's  proposal,  i.e.  stript  of  every  enjoyment, 
and  rendered  perfectly  wretched.  Yet  his  faith  endured  the  test, 
and  Satan  was  vanquished.  In  his  sufferings,  and  patient  endur 
ance  of  them,  Job  may  be  viewed  as  an  eminent  type  of  our- 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


16  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

9  Be  neither  moon,  nor  twinkling  stars  on  high, 
But  shadows,  clouds  and  darkness  veil  the  sky. 

7  While  voice  of  neither  man,  nor  beast  be  found, 
Nor  mirth,  nor  music,  pipe  nor  tabret's  sound  ; 
No  humid  vapours  fall  in  genial  show'rs, 

Nor  vegetation  deck  the  earth  with  flow'ra  ; 

8  But  bilent  sadness  mount  her  sable  tlmme, 
And  sons  of  sorrow  curse  it  for  their  own. 

10  Because  it  gave  to  embryo  Job,  a  womb, 
Bequeath'd  a  cradle,  and  deny'd  a  tomb. 

11  Why  fell  1  not  the  early  prey  of  death  ? 
Why  drew  my  heaving  lungs  the  vital  breath  ' 

22  Why,  to  the  fost'ring  bosom  was  I  prest, 
By  mother  Earth  deny'd  a  lap  of  rest  ? 

13  O  Grave  !  thou  envied  state  of  quiet  er.se, 
Where,  undisturb'd,  I  might  have  slept  in  peace. 

14  As  great,  as  happy  as  the  crowned  head, 
Repos'd  in  marble,  with  the  royal  dead. 

15  Moiuvchs  who  shook  the  world  with  wide  alarms, 
And  plunder'd  provinces,  with  conq'ring  arms, 

16  In  death,  own  kindred  with  their  meanest  slave, 
Or  still-born  infants  in  the  common  grave 

17  The  racked,  there,  no  more  with  ills  molest, 
And  there,  the  weary  trav'ler  is  at  rest. 

18  Th'  oppressor,  and  the  oppress'd,  togetlyer  there,, 
In  dust  are  levell'd,  and  one  liv'ry  wear. 

)9  There,  undistinguish'd  lie,  the  base,  the  brave, 
And  there  the  master  manumits  the  slave. 

20  Who  then,  would  Hot  the  light  of  life  forego, 

Spurning  the  heirship  of  incessant  woe, 

21,22  And  long  and  pant  for  dissolution,  more, 

Than  greedy  misers  for  the  golden  ore  ? 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTU  17 

23  Why  then,  is  light  on  wretched  man  bestow'cl, 
Whose  path  is  hedg'd,  whose  peace  deny'd  of  Gj.l 

24  Such  is  my  state  forlorn, — my  daily  food 
To  gall  is  chang'd  ;  to  evil  ;.I1  my  good. 
Life  is  a  burden,  borne  with  tears  and  sighs, 
And  constant  groans,  like  Wll*wtng  waves,  arise. 

25  Th*  impending  storm  of  ills,  so  much  my  dread, 
Now  falls  amain,  with  ruin  on  my  head  ; 

26  My  woes,  in  which,  nor  rest,  nor  peace  were  known*  • 
Increasing,  are  to  sev'n-fbld  Vengeance  grown." 

ELIPHAZ. 

IV.     Now  wiit  thou,  Job,  with  candor  deign  to  hear; 
And  words  of  truth  receive,  with  friendly  ear  ? 
This  favor,  for  myself,  and  thee  I  ask, 
Since,  silence  would  impose  a  painful  task, 
*3,4  An  able  teacher,  an  experienc'd  guide, 

In  thee,  our  eyes  behold — thy  wisdom  try'd, 
Hath  many  counsei'd,  and  thy  gen'rous  aid, 
The  weak  to  stand,  the  lame  to  walk,  hath  made. 

5  But  now,  afflicted,  by  the  hand  of  Heav'n, 
Thai-strength  thou  lackest,  which  thyself  hast  giv'n. 

6  WiUiov.t  the  basis  of  an  upright  heart, 

Thy  virtuous  deeds  were  but  the  fruits  of  art, 
Corrupt  and  selfish  all — ?.n  outward  form, 
Which  no\v,  like  chaff,  is  blown  before  the  storm. 
Thy  mind,  a  stranger  to  the  good  man's  hope, 
Oppress'd  with  ills,  now  sinks  without  a  prop — , 
Fc;-  false  and  specious  all  thine  upright  ways  ; 
Those  shining  virtues  of  thy  former  days, 

*  Gal.  vi.  1.     Ifcb.  sii.  12.- 
B2 


18  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Like  spurious  gold  untry'd,  to  dross  now  tu^n, 
And  leave  the  wretch,  to  murmur  and  to  mourn 

7  The  charge  refuse  not,  to  conviction  bow. 
And  own  thy  baseness,  for,  my  proof  art  thou. 
Look  at  thy  ruin,  then  this  question  scan, 

Is  God,  the  Judge  of  all,  unjust  to  man  ? 
Reflect,  I  pray,  thy  mem'ry  well  employ  ; 
Did  ever  God  the  innocent  destroy  ? 
Are  not  the  righteous  precious  in  his  sight,. 
And  mark'd,  ia  Providence,  his  chief  delight  ? 
In  Him  their  stedfast  hope  and  trust  who  place, 
From  ills  preserv'd,  enjoy  his  smiling  face. 

8  Not  so  the  wicked — here,  the  scene  reverse, 
Presents  the  objects  of  his  wrath  and  curse, 
The  seeds  of  sin  who  sow,  have  plow'd  in  vain, 
For  grief,  their  harvest  proves,  their  wages,  pain 

9  From  light  and  life,  by  th*  angry  blast  of  Heav'n, 
They  sink  in  darkness,  and  to  death  are  driv'n. 

iOjll  And  tho'  like  lions  strong,  and  fierce  as  they,    ~\ 
By  hands  unseen  destroy'd,  they're  swept  away,  t 
The  lions  famish'd,  and  their  whelnsja  prey.     J 
Thus  saints  in  form,  and  hypocrites  in  heart, 
Exchange  their  honors  for  their  just  desert. 

12  This  truth,  confirm'cl,  by  observation  sought, 

In  part,  I've  learn'd,  by  secret  counsel  taught  ; — 

My  list'ning  ear  the  solemn  sounds  receB^d, 

My  mind,  th'  instruction  ; — and  the  truth  belicv'd. 

13  When  midnight  darkness  veii'd  the  earth  and  deep. 
And  busy  mortals  lost  their  cares  in  sleep  ; 
While  sad  and  pensive,  on  my  wakeful  bed, 

A  sudden  vision  fill'd  my  soul  with  dread. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  19 

14  Black  chilling  fears,  which  all  my  frame  possess'd, 
My  chattering  teeth,  and  bristling  hairs  confess'd. 

15  My  flesh  all  trembling,  and  congeal'd  my  blood, 
A  passing  Spirit,  now  before  me  stood. 

1 6  A  solemn  spectre,  awful,  dark  and  drear, 

Nor  shape,  my  eye  perceiv'd,  nor  voice,  my  car— 
But  dark  and  silent  all 

When  lo  !  a  still  small  voice,  the  gloom  pervades, 
And  thus,  the  haughty  sons  of  pride  upbraids. 

17  "  Shall  man,  earth-born,  and  hast 'rung  to  the  dust, 
u  Himself  exalt,  and  call  his  God  unjust  ? 

"  Shall  pride  and  vanity  affect  to  be 

"  More  holy,  righteous,  wise  and  good,  than  HE  ? 

18  "  Presumptuous  madness!  know,  He  reigns  above, 
"  Supreme  in  pow'r,  in  goodness,  truth  and  love  ; 
"  His  hand  performs  the  counsels  of  his  throne, 

"  Owns  no  dependence,  and  confides  in  none. 
"  View'd  in  the  brightness  of  his  glorious  name, 
"  Angels  are  charg'd  with  folly,  cloth'd  in  shame. 
!  9  "  Shall  man  presume,  then,  on  his  Maker's  gruce, 
"  And  claim  a  higher,  than  an  angel's  place  ? 

(Ver  18)  and  bit   angels  be  charged  with  folly.     This  is" 

a  disputed  passage,  and  of  doubtful  interpretation.  Two  different 
opinions  of  it  are  hclden,  and  each  supported  by  respectable  au 
thorities.  The  one,  that  it  is  spoken  comparatively,  of  the  holy 
angels — the  other  that  it  is  spoken  absolutely,  of  the  fallen  angels. 
Without  deciding  which  is  the  most  correct,  I  have,  in  the  para 
phrase,  followed  the  lead  of  the  former  construction,  which 
is  the  most  commonly  received.  Those  who  prefer  the  Utter 
construction,  may  substitute,  in  the  paraphrase,  the  following 
couplet, 

Angels  of  light,  by  sin  and  folly  fell 

From  light  to  darkness,  and  from  Heav'n  to  bell. 


20  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

"  Frail,  sinful  man,  a  worthless  worm  at  most, 
"  Form'd  of  the  clay,  and  founded  in  the  dust  ; 
"  Whose  strength  so  weak,  whose  life  so  short  a  clay  i 
(*  Before  the  moth,  he  falls  a  helpless  prey  ? 

20  "  As  chaff  before  the  driving  wind  is  blown, 
«  Or  the  frail  lilly  in  the  meads,  cut  down, 

"  So  wretched  man,  by  death,  is  swept  away, 
'»  From  morn  till  ev'ning,  and  from  day  to  day. 
"  Succeeding  generations  tread  the  stage, 
"  And  die,  and  die,  thro'  each  progressing  age  ; 
"  Like  wave  impelling  wave,  they  swiftly  pass, 
"  And  dash,  and  mingle  with  the  common  mass  ; 

21  "  Unheeded  and  forgotten,  down  they  lie, 

"  Resign  their  worth,  and  without  wisdom  die." 

V.       Reflect,  I  pray  thee,  weigh  the  subject  well, 
And  name  the  saint,  to  wbcm  thou  wih  appeal. 
Call,  to  thine  aid,  th'  experienc'd  and  the  grave, 
Who  taught  by  wisdom,  can  from  error  save. 
Whom  wilt  thou  summon  to  this  work  of  love, 
My  words,  by  facts,  or  reasons  to  disprove  ? 
Shall  wisdom  yield  to  folly,  learned  prate 
Annul  th'  experience  of  the  wise  and  great  ? 

2  The  inattentive  mind,  the  envious  heart, 
At  its  own  bosom,  points  the  fatal  dart  ; 
Nor  hope,  nor  peace,  the  selfish  can  enjoy, 
For  selfish  passions,  hope  and  peace  destroy. 

3  The  wicked  man,  in  prosp'rous  state,  I've  seen, 
Like  thrifty  tree,  all  fruitful  fair  and  green  ; 
Deep  grew  his  roots,  his  tow 'ring  branches  high, 
O'erspread  the  ground,  and  pierc'd  the  vaulted  sky. 

(1)  Psalm  xlix.  7.     Gen.  xxx.  1. 
(3)  Jer.  xii.  2.      Psalm  xxxyij,  35- 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  21 

But  short  his  date — his  greatness,  wealth  and  pow'r, 
His  trunk  and  branches,  like  the  meadow  flow'r, 
In  early  prime  cut  down,  and  scatter'd  wide, 
By  noon-day  beams  were  wither'd,  scorch'd  and 
dry'd. 

4  Nor  rests  the  evil  here—to  years  unknown, 
Borne  by  the  stream  of  time,  it's  carried  down  ;— 
To  his  vile  race,*  the  legacy  descends, 

And  son  with  sire,  in  guilt  and  ruin  blends. 
Abject  and  mean,  with  poverty  distress'd, 
Beset  with  dangers,  hated  and  oppress'd  , 

5  Their  harvest,  choak'd  with  thorns,  a  mingled  crop. 
By  hungry  vagrants  glean'd,  is  eaten  up  ; 

Their  substance  all,  for  which,  with  care,  they  toil'd, 
By  thieves  is  pillag'd,  and  by  robbers  spoiFd. 
Thus,  without  one  to  pity,  or  to  save, 
They  drag  their  sins  and  sorrows  to  the  grave. 

6  Tho'  evils  causeless,  spring  not  from  the  ground, 
Nor  troubles  e'er,  by  accident  abound. 

7  Yet  wretched  man,  thus  Heav'n's  decree  ordains, 
Is  born  to  sorrow,  sickness,  tears  and  pains  ; 

As  fire  ascending  seeks  the  distant  sun, 
Or  rapid  rivers  to  the  ocean  run. 

8  Then,  whither  shall  I  flee  ?  my  refuge,  where  I 
Is  hope  denied  the  wretch  ?  is  all  despair  ? 

No.     Blessed  hope  !  there  is  a  God  above, 
The  world  who  rules,  in  goodness,  truth  and  love. 
To  Him  I'd  seek — my  suff'ring  cause  commit, 
And  bow  submissive  at  his  awful  feet ; 

(4)  Psalm  cix.  12,  13.  *  Exodus  xx.  5. 

(6)  Amos  iii.  6.  (7)  John  xyi.  32. 


22  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

9  Whoform'dthe  earth,  \fhospread  the  heav'ns  abroad, 
The  Great,  the  Wise,  the  Wonder-working  God. 
At  his  command,  the  awful  thunders  roar^ 
And  rain,  and  sun-shine,  greet  the  joyous  shore  ; 
Breaks  the  fair  morn,  the  splendid  source  of  day 
Beams  from  the  East,  and  pours  his  golden  ray. 

10  Ke  spreads  the  ev'ning  shade  the  dew  distils, 
And  pours  his  blessings  on  the  fruitful  hills. 

1 1  'Tis  He  our  pains  relieves,  our  wants  supplies, 
Our  sickness  heals,  and  wipes  our  weeping  eyes. 
"  He  gives  our  comforts,  and  his  mercy  saves 

"  Our  souls  from  death,  our  lives  from  gaping  graves." 
He  lifts  the  fallen,  and  the  poor  oppress'd, 
In  Him,  find  succor,  and  the  weary,  rest. 

12  The  sons  of  malice  forge,  in  vain,  their  lies, 
The  crafty  wicked  perish,  in  surprise  ; 

14  Blind  to  their  path,  and  wand'ring  far  astra  y, 
They  grope  ia  darkness,  'mid  the  blaze  of  day. 

13  Feeble  their  hands,  their  expectations  cross'd, 
And  all  their  schemes,  like  chaff,  are  blown  and  lost. 
Their  wisdom  vain,  in  vain  they  nim  their  spite, 
In  desp'rate  combat  with  eternal  might. 

As  pond'rous  rocks,  avuls'd  from  mountain's  brow, 
Descend  impetuous  to  the  vales  below  ; 
So  from  their  tow'ring  height,  by  angry  Heav'n, 
Theyjre  tumbled  headlong  and  to  ruin  driv'n. 

15  But,  to  the  humble  poor,  the  Lord  extends 
Protecting  kindness,  and  from  ills  defends  ; 

(9)  Deut,  xxxii.  4. 

(11)  1  Sam.  ii.  7.     Isaiah  xxxiii.  16. 

(12)  Psalm  xxxiii.  10,    and  Ixxvi.  5. 

£13)  Psalm  ix,  15.  (15)  Psalm  Ixxii.  4. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  23 

His  arm,  their  shield  ;  his  faithfulness,  Iheir  trust ; 
His  justice  treads  th'  oppressor  in  the  dust ; 
Nor  tongues,  nor  hands,  nor  swords  of  mighty  foes, 
Have  pow'r  t'annoy  their  safety,  or  repose. 

16  God  is  their  hope,  their  strength,  their  joy,  their 

breath, 
Their  "  light  in  darkness,  and  their  life  in  death." 

17  Then,  happy  he,  who,  chasten 'd  by  his  rod, 
Humbly  submits,  and  owns  his  Father  God. 

18  His  ways  are  holy,  all  his  dealings  kind, 
Faithful  his  frowns,  and  for  our  good  design'd. 
Rebel  not,  therefore,  Job,  nor  dare  withstand 
The  just  corrections  of  his  mighty  hand. 
Him,  the  dispenser  own,  of  good  and  ill, 

'Tis  he  who  wounds,  and  he  alone  can  heal. 

19  In  oft-returning  troubles,  thou  shalt  find, 
Thy  God,  thy  Saviour  and  Deliv'rer,  kind. 

20  If  death  and  famine  break  the  staff  of  bread, 
Trust  in  his  mercy,  and  thou  shalt  be  fed  : 

21  Or  slander  wound  thee,  with  envenom'd  tongue, 
Thy  righteous  Judge  shall  well  avenge  thy  wrong. 

22  If  plague  or  sickness  spread  devouring  death, 
Thy  guardian  God  shall  keep  thy  mortal  breath. 
When  war  with  slain,  d'crspreads  th'  embattled  field, 
Behold  Him  nigh,  thy  buckler,  and  thy  shield. 
The  hissing  snake,  before  thee,  shall  retreat, 
Tigers  their  fisrceness  lose,  and  lick  thy  feet ; 

(16)  Psa'.m  cvii.  42. 

(17)  Psalm  xciv.  12,  and  Jam.  i.  2. 

(18)  Deut.  xxxii.  39.  (19)  Psalm  xxxiv.  19. 
(20)  Psalm  xxxiv.  10.  (23)  Psalm  xci.  I. 


24  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

23  All  nature  smile,  with  beams  of  grace  divine, 
Ev'n  rocks  and  stones  in  leagues  of  friendship  join. 

24  Thy  house,  the  blest  retreat  of  peace  and  love, 
A  store  of  social  sweets  shall  daily  prove. 
Secure  and  happy  in  the  plenty  giv'n, 
Approving  conscience,  and  the  smiles  of  Heav'n, 
Thy  thankful  lips  shall  pour  the  fervent  praise, 
And  lead  thy  household  to  the  throne  of  grace, 

•25  Thy  children  num'rousas  the  grass,  shall  rise, 
Tread  in  thy  steps,  and  bless  thine  aged  eyes. 

26  At  length,  as  corn  full  ripe,  the  precious  grain, 
In  joyful  harvest  reapt,  is  gather'd  in  ; 
So  thou,  in  virtue,  and  in  age,  mature, 
Shalt  rest  in  death,  and  find  thy  Heav'n  secure. 

37       Hear  then,  O  Job,  these  truths,  by  wisdom  seal'd, 
And  peace  and  comfort  to  thy  soul,  they'll  yield. 

JOB. 

VI.  O  that  my  griefs  were  weigh'd — • 

2  For,  were  my  sufferings  in  the  balance  laid, 

3  The  rocks  and  sands,  which  th' ocean's  bed  surround, 
The  lighter  scale  would  poize,  and  upward  bound. 

(Ver.  24.)     • and  thou  thalt  visit  thy  habitation,  8cc. 

In  this  verse,  Eliphaz  has  undoubted  reference  to  the  duties  of 
family  religion,  and  of  household  worship.  These  duties  have 
been  characteristic  of  the  people  of  God,'  in  all  'ages.  The  truly 
pious  man  will  acknowledge  God  in  every  relation,  and  "  pray 
with  all  prayer."  This  is  certain,  however  greatly  the  duty  of  fa 
mily  prayer  is  neglected,  in  the  christianized  world,  no  parent,  or 
head  of  a  family,  will  neglect  it,  who  makes  conscience  cf  hi« 
•duty,  or  appreciates  tlie  smiles  of  Heaven. 

<24)  Eccl.  viii.  5. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  25 

*Tis  not  in  words,  to  paint  my  deep  distress, 
Or  tell  what  heavy  woes  my  soul  oppress. 

4  Th'  Almighty's  arrow,  pointed  at  my  heart, 
Spreads  its  dire  poison,  with  a  deadly  smart  ; 
Exhausts  my  spirit,  and  my  soul  alarms, 
With  all  the  terrors  of  a  God  in   arms. 

5  Why  then,  my  friends,  if  friends  indeed  ye  be, 
Your  hearts  so  hard,  your  ears  so  deaf  to  me  ? 
My  words,  in  vain  solicit  your  belief, 

Nor  groans  excite  your  sympathetic  grief. 
Of  health  and  ease  did  ever  one  complain  ? 
Are  tears  and  groans  no  evidence  of  pain  ? 
'Midst  plenteous  herbage,  does  the  wild  ass  bray  ? 
Or  lows  the  ox  for  forage,  o'er  his  hay  ? 

6  Can  food  unseason'd,  guslful  savour  bear  ? 

Or  sounds  discordant,  charm  the  iist'ning  ear  ? 

7  Things  hateful  to  the  sense,  I  now  receive, 
As  food,  famiiiar— constant  as  my  grief. 

8,9  Oh,  that  the  Lord  of  Heav'n  and  Earth  would  hear. 

And  grant  th'  entreaty  of  my  fervent  pray'r  ; 
"  In  tender  mercy,  that  he'd  rouse  his  wrath, 
Let  loose  his  hand  and  send  me  quick  to  death. 
Here,  all  my  hope — for  this  I  long,  I  sigh, 
To  burst  the  bands  of  hated  life,  and  die. 

10  Threshold  of  glory  I  gate  of  endless  day  ! 
O  Death,  I  hail  thec— bear  me  hence  away, 

(Ver.  10.)     — —  /  have  not  conceals  1  the  words  of  tie  Holy  Oi.e. 
It  was   from  the  testimony  of  a  good   conscience,  that  Job 
derived  support  under  his  heavy  affliction,  and  the  blessed  comfort 
(4)  Deut  xxxii.  23.     Lam.  iii.  5,7. 

(6)  Heb.  xii.  11.  (7)  Lam.  iv.  5.     Psalm  cii.  ?, 

(8)  1  Kings  xix.  4.  (10)  Acts  xx.  20. 

c 


26  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Up  to  my  God.     His  truth  I  have  declar'd, 
And  for  his  holy  Heav'n  now  stand  prepar'd. 

1 1  What  is  my  strength,  and  what  this  scene  of  strife, 
That  I  should  cleave  to  earth,  and  long  for  life  ? 

12  My  strength  must  fail,  this  mortal  frame  decay, 
Nor  marble  are  my  bones,  nor  brass  my  clay. 
My  only  strength  is  hope,  my  joy  is  faith, 
These  solace  life,  and  pluck  the  sting  of  death  ; 
'Tis  heav'nly  wisdom  fits  the  soul  for  God, 
And  points  me  to  his  bright,  his  blest  abode. 

14  A  friend's  affliction  claims  a  friend's  relief, 
The  throb  of  pity,  and  the  tear  of  grief  ; 
But  man  revolts,  no  kindred  owns  but  pelf, 
No  God  but  Mammon,  and  no  friend  but  Self. 
O  sacred  friendship  !  source  of  joy  and  rest, 
By  all  pretended,  and  by  few  possess'd  ! 

of  hope,  in  the  near  prospect  of  death.  This  was  a  consumma 
tion  he  devoutly  desired, — a  time,  for  which  he  had  lorrg  been 
laying  up  in  store  a  good  foundation. — His  words  here  are  very 
parallel  with  those  of  the  apostle,  "  I  have  not  shunned  to  de 
clare  the  whole  counsel  cf  Gcd."  They  signify  generally,  a 
state  of  preparation  for  death,  and  the  satisfaction  he  felt,  in  the 
review  of  a  life  faithfully  devoted  to  the  service  of  Gcd.  Not 
that  he  built  his  hope  upon  his  faithfulness  and  good-works  as  the 
meritorious  ground  of  the  divine  acceptance  ;  this  principle  he 
explicitly  discards  in  several  of  his  speeches  ;  but  that,  the  good 
fruits  of  holy  obedience,  flowed  from  amoral  temper  which  must 
be  happy  in  God,  and  werQ  evidential  of  that  character,  which 
God,  in  his  sovereign  mercy,  through  the  mediation  of  his  Son, 
would  crown  with  eternal  life.  Happy  every  one,  who  in  the 
view  of  death,  can  say,  as  Job  did,  «  I  have  not  concealed  the 
words  of  the  Holy  One." 

(11)  Chap.  v.  16.  (12)  Psalm  ciii.  14,  15. 

(14)  Prov,  xv».  17.    2  Cor.  i.  4.  andiv.  14. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  2f 

The  heart  that  feels,  the  hand  that  loves  to  give, 
A  thousand  blessings  shall  for  one  receive. 
15-18  My  friends  deceitful,  as  th'  inconstant  brook, 

With  smiling  fortune,  smii'd  ;  with  it,  forsook. 
The  limpid  stream,  by  winter's  frost  congeal'd, 
Spread  to  the  eye,  a  smooth  delightful  field  : 
Firm  to  the  foot,  not  rocks  more  firm  and  fast, 
And  dreaming  fancy  thought  the  scene  would  last  : 
But  short  th'  illusion — ere  one  summer's  day, 
The  charm  is  fled,  the  ice  dissolves  away, 
The  waters  swiftly  glide,  the  dream  is  o'er, 
-  The  riv'let  dries,  and  friendship  is  no  more. 
Hope,  fair  deceiver,  downward  to  the  deep, 
Floats  with  the  tide,  and  "  leaves  the  wretch  to  weep." 

(Verses  15 — 18.)  My  brethren  have  dealt  deceitfully  cs  a  brook,  8tc. 

Every  reader  must  stop  to  admire  the  beauties  of  the  short 
comparison,  Job  here  institutes,  to  paint  the  fickleness  of  human 
friendship.  How  striking  is  it  generally  !  how  just  was  it  in  its 
particular  application  !  For  natural  simplicity,  well  chosen,  im 
agery  and  descriptive  energy,  it  is  not  exceeded  by  any  specimen 
of  fine  writing,  ancient,  or  modern.  What  an  impressive  view 
does  it  give  us  of  the  utter  selfishness  and  depravity  of  the  human 
heart,  as  lost  to  every  truly  generous  and  noble  sentiment  !  Alas! 
the  comparison  is  still  in  force.  The  complaint  of  Job  has  not 
been  confined  to  any  particular  age,  or  period  of  the  world. — 
Human  nature  is  still  the  same.  Human  friendship,  like  the  de 
ceitful  brook,  dries  and  becomes  extinct,  in  the  summer  of  ad 
versity.  How  often  does  human  experience  justify  and  enforce 
the  solemn  admonition  of  the  weeping  Prophet.  "  Take  ye  heed 
every  one  of  his  neighbor,  and  trust  ye  not  in  any  brother  ;  for 
every  brother  will  utterly  supplant,  and  every  IK  ^hbur  will  \vi-.lk 
with  slanders." 

(15 — IS)  Psalm  xxxviii.  11.  amllxxxviii.  18.  Jer.  Lx.  4.  Miaah 
vii.  4,  5. 


*  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

1 9  Nor  yet  confin'd,  the  fickleness  of  friends  ; 
This  thorny  evil  to  mankind  extends  ; 

The  troops  of  Tema  hasten'd  to  the  brink, 
And  hosts  of  Sheba,  all  athirst  to  drink  ; 

20  High  were  their  hopes,  their  breasts  with  ardor  glow'd, 
Impatient  with  desire,  they  came — they  stood, — 
They  look'd — they  waited,  but  in  vain  their  stay,-) 
Dry  was  the  brook,  nor  could  their  thirst  allay,    t 
They  fled  confounded,  each  his  diff'rent  way.     J 

21  Now,  in  this  glass  of  ice,  yourselves  behold, 
As  hard  your  hearts,  your  boasted  love  as  cold. 
My  wretched  state,  you  trembling  see,  yet  have 
Nor  heart  to  pity,  nor  a  hand  to  save. 

22  Do  I  to  you  my  wounds  and  pains  expose, 
Begging  for  alms  to  mitigate  my  woes  ? 
Or  yet,  have  I  your  gen'rous  aid  implor'd, 
To  pay  my  ransom  to  a  cruel  Lord  ; 

33  Or  prove  your  valor,  in  unequal  strife, 

My  foes  to  vanquish,  and  preserve  my  life  ? 
For  none  of  these  I  sue.     The  feeling  heart 
Is  all  the  boon  I  ask — but  this  impart, 

24  My  errors  teach  me,  clearly  shew  my  wrong, 
Then,  humbly  thankful,  I'll  restrain  my  tongue. 

(Ver.  19.)  The  troops  of  Tema  looted,  &.c. 
This  verse,  in  all  probability,  has  reference  to  the  trading  Cara 
vans  travelling  through  the  deserts  of  Arabia,  bearing  their  ar 
ticles  of  traffic  on  camels,  and  suffering  with  thirst,  in  those  dry 
and  sandy  regions.  This  mode  of  merchandizing  is  practised,  to 
the  present  clay. 

(D)  Gen.  xxv.  15. 
(20)  Jer.  xiv.  3. 
(22)  1  Sam.  xii   ?,. 
(24)  lam.es  I  19, 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  sa" 

25  Convincing  pow'r,  the  words  of  truth,  attends, 
But  where's  the  fault,  your  reas'ning  reprehends  ? 
Nor  pith,  nor  substance,  in  your  speech  is  found, 
But  wit  unapt,  and  without  cause  a  wound. 

26  Are  words  the  mark,  at  which  you  aim  your  pleas, 
In  doughty  combat  with  the  empty  breeze  ? 

So  bright  the  triumph  o'er  a  desp'rate  foe  ? 
So  fair  the  laurel  pluck'd  from  maniac's  brow  ? 

27  Nor  here  you  pause  ;  but  treach'rous  arts  employ, 
To  crush  the  helpless,  and  your  friend  destroy. 

28  Now  rest  content,  this  path  no  more  pxirsue, 
Look  on  my  sorrows,  and  believe  them  true. 

39   Return  to  reason,  Oh,  to  love  return — 
Let  gen'rous  pity  in  your  bosoms  burn  ; 

30  My  cause  behold  not  in  an  odious  light, 
I  beg  no  favor  in  a  claim  of  right. 
My  words  are  simple  truth,  I  cannot  fear 
The  sting  of  conscience  for  a  guileful  tear. 

VII.    Why  then   your  censures  harsh  ?  say,  what  th' 

offence, 

To  challenge  death  and  spurn  the  joys  of  sense  ? 
Man's  wretched  life  is  but  an  hireling's  day, 
As  fixt  his  term,  as  quickly  pass'd  away. 
Nor  wealth,  nor  wisdom  can  protract  the  date, 
Nor  strength,  nor  beauty  ward  the  shafts  of  fate  ; 
Infinite  wisdom  measures  out  his  span, 
And  God's  high  counsel  bounds  the  life  of  man. 

(25)  Eccl.  xii.  10.     Prov.  xv.  23,  and  xxv.  11. 

(26)  Eph.  iv.  14. 

(27)  Psalm  Ivii.  6.     Isai.  Ixiii.  8. 
Chap.  vii.  ver.  1.     Isaiah,  xxxviii.5. 

C2 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE, 

2       The  hireling  labors,  heedless  of  his  pains, 
In  cheering  prospect  of  his  promised  gains  ; 
The  drudging  slave,  by  hard  oppression  driv'n. 
Toils  with  the  Sun,  and  eyes  the  shades  of  ev'n  : 
Hope,  all-supporting-,  steels  the  patient  breast, 
Of  thut,  his  wages  ;  and  of  this,  his  rest. 

G  But  ah  !  to  me,  more  wretched  far  than  these, 
Nor  labor,  rest ;  nor  pain,  can  promise  ease. 
Like  empty  shadows,  fiee  my  months  away, 
The  night  is  restless,  and  forlorn  the  day. 

4  At  hour  of  rest,  impatient  of  the  night, 

I  lay  me  down,  and  wish  for  morning  light  : 
"  When  shall  the  darkness  cease,  the  night  be  gone  ? 
"  Fly,  lazy  hours,  and  bring  the  cheering  Sun." 
My  anguish'd  frame,  the  live-long  night  is  toss'd, 
My  thoughts  in  wild  and  wand'ring  mazes  lost  ; 

5  With  clods  and  creeping  worms,  my  flesh  is  dress'd. 
While  blains  corrosive  all  my  skin  infest 

(Verses  2,  3.)     As  a  servant  earnestly  desireth  the  shadow,  &c. 

There  appears  to  be  a  small  inaccuracy  in  the  wording  of  this 
comparison.  This  is  matter  of  personal  opinion  only,  but  sug 
gested  to.  account  for  and  explain  the  deviation  of  the  paraphrase. 
It  seems,  more  naturally,  a  comparison  of  contrast,  than  of  like 
ness, — designed  to  intimate,  that  the  situation  of  a  hired  servant, 
or  even  a  bond  slave,  was  an  enviable  state,  compared  with  his  ; 
for  they,  under  all  their  labors  and  sufferings,  are  cheered  and 
supported  by  hope  ;  whereas,  saith  Job,  "  I  am  made  to  possess 
months  of  vanity,  Sec."  i.  e.  my  wretched  days  are  spent  -without 
hope.  To  give  the  passage  this  sense,  we  have  only  to  omit  the 
word  as,  in  the  second  verse,  and  substitute,  but,  for  to,  in  the 
ihird.  This,  probably,  would  be  the  correct  reading— for  certainly 
it  would  greatly  strengthen  the  comparison,  and  enforce  the  ob- 
j,xt  of  Job,  which  was  to  justify  his  earnest  desire  of  death. 
(3)  Psalm  xxx ix.  5.  IsaiaHxiv.lt. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  3t 

A  living  horror  to  myself  and  friends, 
My  putrid  carcase  ev'ry  sense  offends. 

6  Swifter  than  shuttle  in  the  weaver's  loom, 
My  hopeless  life  is  posting  to  the  tomb  ; 

7  A  puff  of  air,  that  whistles,  swells,  and  dies. 
Now  come — 'tis  gone  ;  and  like  a  phantom  flies, 

8  Who  saw  me  once,  shall  tell  my  hist'ry  o'er, 

"  Here,  Job  was  seen,  but  now,  is  seen  no  more." 
Thine  eyes  behold  me,  O  thou  Sov'reign  God  ! 
And  straight,  to  dust  I  sink,  beneath  thy  rod. 

9  As  morning  clouds  dissolve  in  empty  air, 

M..n  wastes  in  death,  and  shall  no  more  appear  ; 

10  Snatch'd  from  the  earth,  he  seeks  his  final  home, 
The  herse  his  chariot,  and  his  house,  the  tomb. 
The  shroud,  the  coffin,  and  the  mourning  train> 
In  pomp,  attend  him  to  his  dark  domain. 

His  children  orphans,  and  his  wife  alone, 
His  place  forsaken,  and  his  name  unknown. 

1 1  For  this  I  mourn,  unable  to  restrain 

The  voice  of  wailing,  or  the  tear  of  pain  ; 

I'll  speak  my  anguish,  clothe,  in  words,  my  grief, 

The  bursting  heart,  in  venting,  finds  relief. 

(Verse  6.)     My  days  are  swifter  than  a  weavtr't  shuttle,  &c. 

This  is  a  very  beautiful  figure — an  apt  and»striking  comparison. 
The  shuttle  flies  swiftly,  and  constantly,  and  every  shoot  dunrn 
ishes  the  yarn  upon  the  spool.     Such  is  the  rapid,  constant  flight 
of  time  ;  and  every  succeeding  moment  still  shortens  the  thread, 
ef  human  life. 

(6)  Psalm  xc.  6.  (7)  Isaiah  xxxv'tii.  12, 

(8)  Eccl.  i.  4,  5. 

(9)  2  Sam.  xii.  23. 

(10)  Eccl.  xii.  5. 

(11)  Psalm  xxxix.  1,  9. 


82  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

12  Am  I  an  Ocean,  whelming  all  the  shore  ? 
Or  some  sea-monster,  yawning  to  devour  ? 

That  thou  my  path  dost  fence  with  rocks  and  mounds, 
And  watch  my  motions,  hedg'd  in  narrow  bounds  ? 

1 3  Yet  evils  outward  are  the  smaller  part, 

My  peace  is  wounded,  and~I'm  sick  at  heart. 
The  hour  of  rest  desir'd,  but  swells  my  woes, 
The  bed  of  slumber  mocks  the  wish'd  repose. 
My  couch,  I  fondly  hope,  and  vainly  say, 
Shall  soothe  my  cares,  and  chase  my  griefs  away  ; 

14  Then  visions  haunt  me,  dreams  terrific  rise, 
Pale  ghosts  and  goblins  dance  before  my  eyes, 
"  Tir'd  nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep," 
Flies  my  embrace,  and  bids  me  wake  to  weep. 

15,16      What  then,  the  charm  of  life?  and  where  the  tie? 
That  holds  me  grov'ling,  here,  averse  to  die  ? 
Dissolv'd  and  gone.     I  yield  my  mortal  breath — 
This  wretched  life  I  loathe — 'tis  worse  than  death. 

17  And  what  is  man  ?  O  thou  Preserving  Pow'r  ! 
A  child  of  dust — the  creature  of  an  hour  ! 
Frail,  sinful  man,  shall  he  thy  goodness  prove  ? 
Is  he  an  object  worthy  of  thy  love  ? 

18  Is  it  for  him,  thy  hand  supports  the  pole  r 
For  him  the  mighty  wheels  of  Nature  roll  ? 
Time  speeds  his  round,  with  constant  wing  display'd. 
In  blush  of  morning,  and  the  ev'ning  shade  ; 

Suns  rise  and  set,  alternate  seasons  bring 

The  frosts  of  Winter  and  the  flow'rs  of  Spring  ? 

(12)  Lain.  in.  7. 
(14)  Deut.  xxviii.  34. 
(17)  Psalm  xxxix.  10. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  S3 

19  Oh,  stay  thy  hand,  thy  woncl'rous  acts  restrain, 
And  grant  thy  worm,  a  short  reprieve  from  pain. 

20  All-seeing  God,  before  thy  throne,  I  bow, 
With  guiit  confounded,  and  in  dust  laid  low  ; 
My  sins  to  thee  confess,  thy  justice  own, — 
What  shall  I  offer,  how  my  crimes  atone  ? 
Mark  not  a  wretch,  insolvent  and  forlorn, 
The  fated  object  of  thy  wrath  and  scorn. 
Worthless  my  life,  nor  can  my  blood  defray 
The  mighty  debt,  and  wash  my  guilt  away. 

2 1  Look  down  in  mercy,  lend  a  gracious  ear, 
My  suff'rings  pity,  grant  my  fervent  pray'r  ; 
To  thee  I  look,  I  plead  thy  pard'ning  grace, 
My  sins  subdue,  and  lift  thy  smiling  face  ; 
Oh,  haste  to  help  me,  speed  thine  aid,  before 
I  sleep  in  death,  and  sink  to  rise  no  more. 

Verse  20.     O  thou  PRESERVER  of  men,  &c. 

This  principally  means  God's  omniscience,  and  not  his  all-pre 
serving  power  ;  and  perhaps  should  be  rendered  Observer  ;  for 
the  inquiry  here,  is,  not  what  thanks  shall  I  render  for  mercies 
received,  but,  what  sacrifice  shall  I  offer  for  sins  committed  j— • 
In  this,  Job  acknowledges  himself  an  insolvent  debtor  to  divine 
justice,  and  recognizes  the  necessity  of  a  divine  atonement, 

(20)  Psalm  xxxu.  5. 


PART  II. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


BILDAD  shews  God's  justice  in  dealing  with  men,  according  to 
their  works.  He  appeals  to  antiquity,  in  proof  of  the  certain 
destruction  of  the  hypocrite  ;  and  applies  God's  just  dealings 
to  Job. 

Job  acknowledges  God's  justice,  and  shews  that  there  is  no  con 
tending  with  him — that  the  dispensations  of  Providence  do 
not  designate  the  moral  characters  of  men  ;  afflictions  being 
common  to  all.  Taking  liberty  of  complaint,  he  expostulates 
with  God,  concerning  his  afflictions — complains  of  life,  and 
asks  a  short  respite  from  his  pains. 

Zophar  reproves  Job,  with  severity,  for  justifying  himself.  God's 
wisdom  is  unsearchable.  The  assured  blessings  of  repentance. 

Job  maintains  himself  against  his  friends'  reproofs. — He  acknow 
ledges  God's  omnipotency.  Reproves  his  friends  for  their 
partiality.  Professes  his  confidence  in  God.  Entreats  to  knowr 
his  own  sins,  and  God's  purpose  in  afflicting  him.  Entreats 
God  for  favor,  by  the.  shortness  of  life,  and  certainty  of  death. 
Though  life,  once  lost,  be  irrecoverable,  yet  he  waits  for  his 
change,  and  derives  comfort  from  the  secret  hope  of  a  resurrec 
tion.  By  sin,  the  creature  is  subject,  to  corruption,  and  by 
death,  for  ever  cut  off  from  au  the  concerns  of  this  world. 
Tbit  Part  extendt  to  the  end  -of  the  Ht,b  Chaffer, 


VIII.  JTiOW  long  shall  folly  from  thy  lips  resound, 
And  grievous  talk  the  ear  impatient  wound  ? 
Thy  words,  like  whirlwinds,  with  impetuous  force, 
Whelm  sense  and  reason,  in  their  boist'rous  course. 
Presutnest  thou,  thy  Maker's  ways  to  scan  ? 

3  Deals  God  unjustly  with  his  creature  man  ? 
Wilt  thou,  blind  mortal,  mad  with  selfish  zeal, 
Arraign  his  goodness,  and  dispute  his  will  ? 

In  angry  eloquence  foam  out  thy  breath, 

To  curse  thy  life,  and  challenge  instant  death  ? 

4  If  thy  dear  children,  as  thyself  belov'd, 
His  holy  hand  hath  for  their  sins,  remov'd  ; 
(Severe  thy  sorrows,  mends  and  foes  concede, 
The  eye   will  trickle,  and  the  heart  must  bleed.) 

5  Yet,  would'st  thou  now,  mid  scenes  of  death  and  grief, 
Call  on  thy  God,  and  humbly  seek  relief; 

6  If  pure  thy  heart,  if  upright  were  thy  ways, 

Soon  would  He  change  thy  mourning  voice  to  praise ; 
In  his  salvation  quickly  should'st  thou  find, 
Auctions,  mercies  ;  and  thy  God,  most  kind. 

(3)  Dent,  xxxii.  4. 

(4)  Chap,  i,  18.  (6)  Isaiah  i.  16. 


$6  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

He'd  hear  thy  pray'rs,  thy  penitence  approve, 
Thy  house  with  blessings  crown,  thy  life  with  love. 

7  At  first,  tho'  poor,  thou  swiftly  should'st  increase, 
To  wealth  unbounded  as  the  flowing  seas. 

31  While  mirth  and  music,  banish  cares  and  strife, 
Thy  days  roll  smoothly  down  the  stream  of  life  ; 

22  Subdu'd  thy  foes,  to  slfame  and  silence  hush'd, 
Their  malice  broken,  and  their  houses  crush'd. 

8  To  solve  thy  doubts,  if  doubts  at  all  thou  hast, 
Turn  back  thine  eyes  to  days  and  years  long  past  ; 

9  (Our  lives  so  frail,  so  short  our  term  below, 
Born  yesterday,  we  scarce  begin  to  know,) 
Ask  now  thy  fathers,  ope  th'  historic  page, 
And  draw  thy  wisdom  from  the  former  age. 

10  Consulted,  they  will  teach  our  untaught  youth, 
The  path  of  wisdom,  with  the  voice  of  truth. 

1 1  Can  rushes  flourish  in  the  burning  sand  ? 
Or  flags  luxuriant  rise  in  parched  land  ? 

12  Check'd  in  mid  growth,  and  with  no  sickle  nigh, 
ConsumM  with  drought,  they  wither,  droop  and  die. 

13  So  fails  the  hypocrite,  as  sure  and  soon, 
Fade  his  fair  morning  honors,  ere  'tis  noon. 
The  harden'd  sons  of  wickedness  and  lies, 
Their  God 'forsaking,  perish  in  surprise. 

(Verse  21.)     Till  befll  tby  month  uith  laughter,  &c. 

This  verse  has  an  immediate  connection  with  the  7th  verse, 
and  what  comes  between  is  a  long  parenthesis.  For  the  sake  of 
perspicuity,  the  transposition  is  made  in  the  paraphrase,  and  the 
parenthesis  taken -in  last. 

(7)  Hag  i  6,7.  (21)  Isaiah  Ixv.  13. 

(8)  Deut.  iv.  32.     Rom.  xv.  4. 

(9)  Prov.  xxx.  1,  2.     1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 

(10;  Heb.  xi.  4.  (IS)  Tit.  i.  16. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  37 

16  111  fated  plant,  tho'  thrifty,  green  'and  fair, 
A  garden  lilock  with  imposing  air, 

17  It  spreads  its  branches  ;  but  alas  !  the  root, 
By  stones  and  harden'd  earth,  forbid  to  shoot, 
Inhales  no  moisture,  growth  and  life  are  o'er, 
The  famish'd  plant  now  dies,  to  live  no  more. 

1 8  The  tufted  soil,  where  once  so  green  it  grew, 
Its  place  denies,  nor  owns  it  ever  knew. 

19  These  joys  attend  the  hypocrite's  deceit, 
This  path  he  travels,  and  this  end  he'll  meet. 

1 5  His  tow 'ring  castle  founded  in  the  sand, 

Totters  with  ev'ry  breeze,  too  weak  to  stand  ; 
Idle  his  efforts,  all  his  props  in  vain, 
The  driving  tempest  tumbles  it  amain. 

14  Dissolv'd  and  broken,  like  the  spider's  snare, 
His  trust  proves  vanity,  his  hope,  desp.'ii1. 

~:0       Know,  therefore,  Job,  and  note  it  in  thy  breast. 
Receive  instruction,  that  thy  soul  may  rest  ; 
Almighty  God,  the  righteous  ne'er  disowns, 
Nor  views  the  wicked,  but  with  angry  frowns, 


JOB. 

IX.       I  know  it  well— -thy  proverbs  needless  arc  ; 
That  God  is  just,  I  own  ;  but  tell  me  where 
Thy  perfect  man,  who  ne'er  from  duty  swerves, 
No  guilt  incurs,  no  chastisement  deserves. 
The  thought  is  pride.     Deceitful  is  thy  scheme- 
Real,  man's  guilt— his  innocence,  a  dream. 

(17)  Matt.  xiii.  20.  (19)  Psalm  cxiii.  7. 

(14)  Isaiah  lix.  5.     Matt,  vii.  27.     (20)  Isaiah  Ixv.  I'O, 
D 


3«  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3  If  brought  to  trial,  weigh'd  in  justice'  scale, 
His  hope  must  vanish,  and  his  virtue  fail  ; 
For  ne'er  a  sin,  can  one  excuse  be  fram'd, 

But  speechless  be  his  tongue,  his  soul  condemn'd. 

4  Th'  omniscient  God,  no  cunning  can  deceive, 
From  wrath  divine,  no  creature  strength  reprieve  ; 
His  counsels  wise,  almighty  is  his  hand, 

In  vain  the  harden'd  sinner  hopes  to  stand. 

5  At  his  rebuke,  the  lofty  mountains  bow  ; 
Their  massy  columns  pile  the  vales  below  :— 

6  Earth,  from  its  centre,  feels  his  sov'reign  nod, 
And  quaking  Nature  owns  th'  all  present  God, 

7  With  awe  profound.     Forbidden  by  his  pow'r, 
The  lamp  of  day  would  rise  and  set  no  more  ; 
The  silver  moon  no  longer  gild  the   night, 

Nor  stars,  with  twinkling  splendor,  greet  the  sight. 

8  His  hand  alone,  high  Heav'n's  blue  arch  hath  spread, 
He  scoop'd  the  Ocean's  deep  unfathom'd  bed  ; 
Treads  o'er  its  billows,  in  majestic  form, 

"  Rides  in  the  whirlwind  and  directs  the  storm." 

9  His  word  creative  bade  the  planets  rise, 
And  constellations  deck  the  ev'ning  skies  ; 

(Ver.  9.)  Which  makeih  Arcturus,  Orion  and1  Pleiades,  and  the 
Chambers  of  the  South. 

Tliese  are  the  names  of  certain  Constellations,  which  were 
supposed,  from  the  different  times  of  their  appearing,  to  rule  the 
varying  seasons  of  the  year.  In  the  Hebrew,  they  are  named 
Ash,  Cecil,  znddmah  — Arcturus,  is  a  Constellation  of  stars,  seven 
in  number,  and  forming  the  tail  of  the  Great  Bear.  These  were 

(3)  Psalmcxliii.  2.     Rom.  iii.  19.     1  John  in.  20. 

(4)  2  Chron.  xxxvi.  13.    Mai.  iii.  13. 

(5)  Nah.  i.  5.      (8)  Psalmxcni.3,  4,        (9)  Psalm  cxcvii.  4. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

» 
Arcturus  and  Orion,  beaming  fur, 

The  vernal  Pleiades,  the  northern  Bear, 
With  all  che  countless,  shining  orbs  that   roll, 
Between  the  Arctic  and  th'  Antarctic  pole. 

called  by  the  Latins,  Septem  friaries  or  the  seven  Trions  ;  and  by 
the  Greeks  Apart*,  or  Afxrvpes,  from  the  words  XKO  TK 
up*™  ovpas,  descriptive  of  their  situation,  in  relation  to 
the  Bear.  This  Constellation  is  believed  to  revolve  nigh  the 
North  Pole,  and  because  other  lesser  stars  are  collected  around  it, 
they  are  called,  (Chap  xxxviii  32.)  his  sons.  From  the  rise  of 
Arcturus,  which  is  in  the  beginning  >  f  September,  the  ancient 
Eastern  nations  began  their  year.  It  rises  eleven  days  before  the 
Autumnal  Equinox,  and  continues  one  half  the  year. 

Orion  is  a  Constellation  nigh  Taurus,  and  a  beautiful  collection 
of  very  bright  stars.  Its  Hebrew  name,  Cimab,  signifies  fool — 
and  was  so  called  from  the  inconstant,  variable  wea'her,  and 
storms  which  rake  place  at  the  time  of  its  rising,  and  under  its 
rule,  which  it  was  supposed  to  excite.  Orion  rises  in  December, 
when  Winter  begins,  and  is  seen  in  all  the  nights,  to  the  time 
of  Spring.  Virgil  styles  it,  nimbosus  Orion,  or  stormy  Orion. 

Pleiades,  or  Hj.iJes,  is  situated  before  the  knees  of  Taurus,  and 
its  rising  shewed  the  time  of  the  first  sailing ;  thence,  as  SER- 
vius  says,  deriving  its  name  from  the  Greek.  «TT«  ran 
5rA£<» — .to  f<ail.  This  collection  of  stars  is  also  seven  in 
number,  arises  in  the  beginning  of  Spring,  and  continues  till 
Autumn.  They  were  called  by  the  Latins,  Vergilicc,  in  allusion 
to  the  Spring  time.  This  Constellation  is  celebrated  by  the  an 
cient  poets,  and  by  Virgil  is  called,  pluvias  Hjadas,  or  the  rainy 
Pleiades,  from  the  showers  of  Spring. 

the  Chambers  of    the  Smtt>,    i    e.    the    Southern  Stars, 

which  are  in  the  opposite  hemisphere  and  about  the  South  Pole. 
These  were  visible  to  the,  Arabians,  as  they  lived  bur  a  liule  to 
the  North  of -the  Equator  They  are  called  "  Chambers  of  the 
South,"  because  they- are  hidden  from,  and  invisible  to  those,  who 
live  under  the  opposite,  or  Northern  Hemitj-aere.  Among 


40  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

10  Vast  are  his  works,  unsearchable  his  ways, 
Unnumber'd  wonders  spread  Ms  boundless  praise, 

1 1  Unfelt,  He  works  ;  unseen,   He  passes  by  ; 
How  far  remote,  and  yet  for  ever  nigh  I 

l^Freely  He  gives,  unhinder'd  takes  away, 
His  will  supreme,  and  uncontrol'd  his  sway  ; 

13  Pow'rful  his  word,  if  He  his  wrath  retain, 
All  refuge  fails,  the  mighty  help  in  vain  ; 
Crush'd  by  his  hand,  they  fall,  his  frown  beneath, 
Their  strength  is  weakness,  and  their  end  is  death. 

14  Shall  I  then  dare,  a  feeble,  guilty  worm, 
His  will  dispute,  his  awful  wrath  disarm  I 
By  ccgent  arguments,  his  goodness  scan, 
And  try  his  justice  at  the  bar  of  man  ? 

15  If  free  from  guilt,  my  goodness  I'd  disown, 
And  falling  prostrate,  supplicate  his  throne.     , 

16  Should  He  then  hear,  and  answer  me,  indeed, 
The  cor.ilescension  would  ail  thought;  exceed  : 

these  Stars,  is  the  Canicula,  or  Cants  Syrius,  or  Dog  Star  ;  which 
rises  in  the  beginning  of  Summer,  and  forms  the  fourth  and  last 
division  of  the  year.  By  the  Stars  enumerated  in  this  verse, 
Job  comprehends  the  whole  circle  of  the  Heavens,  and  all  the 
seasons  of  the  revolving  year.  Arcturus  governs  the  season  of 
Autumn — Orion,  of  Winter — Pleiades,  of  Spring — and  the  South 
ern  Stars,  of  Summer.  These  four  sets  of  stars,  in  their  order, 
signify  the  four  opposite  quarters  of  the  world,  North,  South, 
East  and  West,  or  the  whole  ambit  of  the  visible  Heavens. 

(Verse  16  )     If  I  had  called  an  I  be  had  answered  me,  &c. 

In  this  and  the  foregoing  verse,  Job  evidently  disclaims  his  ov/n 

(10)  Rom.  xi.  33.  (11)  Psalm  cxxxix.  2. 

(12)  Rom.  ix  20.  (13)  Isaiah  xxx.  7. 

(14)   IPeteriii.  15.  (15)  Rom.  iii.  19, 

,  10)  Phil.  -Vi.  9.. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  41 

For  I'm  a  guilty,  helpless  wretch,  undone, 
And  God's  free  grace  is  only  through  his  Son. 

17  In  vain  my  daily  groan,  my  nightly  tear  ; 
My  graceless  pray'r  offends  his  holy  ear  ; 
While   his  fierce  wrath,  resistless  as  a  storm, 
Is  pour'd,  incessant,  on  a  feeble  worm. 
Relentless  wrath,  unmixt,  and  without  bounds, 
With  countless  strokes,  my  soul  and  body  wounds— 

18  So  deep  in  anguish  drown'd,  I  gasp  for  breath, 
And  taste,  in  life,  the  bitterness  of  death. 

1 9  Hopeless  my  cause — my  strength  too  weak  to  bear ; 
And  should  I  ask  for  trial — when — or  where  ? 
'Gainst  sov'reign  pow'r,    who  can   with  right  con 
tend  ? 

Before  Omniscence,  who,  my  cause  befriend  ? 

20  Myself  to  justify,  is  to  condemn  ; 

To  plead  perfection,  would  but  blaze  my  shame — • 
The'plea  of  guilt  alone,  can  stand  the  test  ; 
This  justice  owns— and  fully,  all  the  rest. 
2  \  Were  I,  as  angels,  holy,  free  from  sin, 
I'm  still  a  creature,  and  of  birth  so  mean, 
My  life  so  worthless,  of  so  small  account, 
I  shrink  to  nothing  in  the  great  amount. 

righteousness  and  all  dependence  on  personal  merit.  His  heavfe 
appears  to  have  been  conformed  to  the  gospel  plan  of  salvation, 
by  free  and  sovereign  grace,  and  to  hr.vc  felt  the  necessity  of  a 
vicarious  satisfaction.  And  hence  we  mr.y  infer,  that  the  hea>^ 
of  the  good,  man  stands  ready  to  embrace  the  gospel — true  reli 
gion  is  essentially  the  same  in  all  ages,  and  the  godly  have  ever 
the  same  views  of  moral  truth,  essentially. 

(17)  Matt.  xx.  15.       (18)  Lam.  iii.  1  5. 

(19)  1  Cor.  i.  25.        (20)  Rom.  iii.  19.        (21)  Gen.  xix.  KV 


42  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

22  This,  once  confess'cl,  and  this  confess  we  must, 
One  fate  betides  the  wicked  and  the  just, 

Nor  love,  nor  hate,  in  Providence  is  known, 
But  good  and  ill  to  both  alike  are  shown  ; 
Life's  mingled  cup  with  steady  hand  goes  round, 
From  pain  and  woe  exempt,  no  class  is  found  ; 
If  once  the  angel  Death,  his  sword  unsheathe, 
And  slaughter'd  thousands  fall,  his  hand  beneath  ; 
In  the  same   grave,  are  saints  and  sinners  thrown, 
Like  thorns  and  lilies,  by  one  stroke  cut  down  ; 

23  Nor  grace,  nor  goodness  moves  the  tyrant's- ear, 
In  blood  of  innocence,  he  bathes  his  spear, 
The  richest  trophies  deck  his  awful  car, 
There's  no  discharge  from  this  devouring  war. 

(Verse  22.)     This  is  one  thing,  therefore  I  said  it,  &.C. 

As  this,  and  the  following  verse,  very  briefly  contain  the  great 
point  in  dispute  between  Job  and  his  friends,  I  have  taken  the 
more  liberty  to  expatiate  upon  it,  and  spread  it  out  at  large,  in 
the  paraphrase  ;  carefully  keeping  the  grand  object  in  view. — 
Bildad  had  been  just  setting  forth,  in  glowing  colors,  the  certain 
blessings  of  obedience  in  the  outward  smiles  of  Providence  ; 
and  this  was  the  united  sentiment  of  the  three,  through  the 
whole  debate.  Job  here  repels  the  idea  as  incorrect  ;  and 
insists  that  the  merit  of  virtue,  is  not  similar  to  the  demerit 
of  vice, — that  neither  is  the  one  rewarded,  nor  the  other  pun 
ished  here — that  the  goodness  of  the  one  does  not  ensure  pros 
perity,  nor  the  wickedness  of  the  other,  adversity — but,  all 
.liings  come  alike  to  all.  God  i»  the  sovereign  disposer  of  events, 
and  deals  out,  in  Providence,'  his  favors  and  his  frowns,  as  best 
adapted  to  the  character  and  circumstances  of  sinful  creatures- 
in  a  state  of  discipline  and  trial. 

(22)  Eccl.  ix.  1, 2.    Isaiah  Ivii  1.    Ezekiel  xxi.  3. 

(23)  Psalm  xxxvii.  1. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  43 

24       Here  then  I  hold—this  argument  enforce — 
On  this  defence,  I  ground  my  whole  discourse  : 
The  high  and  fixt  decrees  of  Heav'n  ordain, 
That  vice  shall  triumph,  virtue,  here,  complain, 
This  rolling  globe,  with  all  its  copious  stores 
Of  splendid  wealth,  of  pleasures,  and  of  povv'rs, 
Is  to  the  wicked  giv'n — their  cup  o'erflows, 
Wile  hard  oppression  fills  the  world  with  woes. 
Rulers  are  tyrants,  judges  prove  unjust, 
Condemn  the  righteous  and  abuse  their  trust ; 
By  fraud,  or  force,  each  strives  to  lead  the  van, 
And  the  earth  groans  beneath  the  foot  of  man. 

But  short  the  scene,  soon  pass  these  clouds  away, 
Soon  will  the  Judge  Supreme  his  grace  display — 
The  righteous  God  recall  his  children  home, 
And  send  the  wicked  to  their  endless  doom. 

If  this  be  dreaming,  let  me  never  wake, 
For,  hence,  the  comfort  all,  the  good  partake. 
Remove  but  this,  you  fatally  destroy 
The  hope  of  virtue,  and  the  good  man's  joy — 

(Verse  24)     if  not,  where,  ami  who  is  he? 

Here,  Job  proceeds  a  step  further,  in  his  argument,  to  shew, 
that  not  only,  is  the  character  of  creatures  undesignated  by  Provi 
dence  in  the  present  state,  but,  if  wholly  disconnected  from  a 
state  of  retribution,  would  give  but  imperfect  evidence  of  the 
character  of  God.  If  the  present  mixed  and  confused  state  cf 
things,  in  which  vice  triumphs,  and  virtue  bleeds,  were,  abstract 
ly  and  without  any  faith  of  a  future  state  of  rewards  and  punish 
ments,  the  only  medium,  through  which  the  character  of  God 
was  to  be  seen  and  known  ;  we  might  well  say  of  God,  as  Job 
did,  vihere  and  -who  is  be  ?  and  with  respect  to  ourselves,  adopt 
the  language  of  Paul  upon  the  same  subject,  "  Let  us  eat  and 
drink,  for  to-morrow  we  die." 

(24)  Psalm  Ixxiii.  7. 


44  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

The  light  of  faith  extinct,  no  God  appears, 
Life,  Virtue,  Happiness,  are  lost  in  tears. 

25  Vain,  all  the  charms  the  joys  of  sense  can  boast  ; 
My  wretched  days  are  fleeter  than  a  post ; 

26  Nor  winds  so  swiftly  drive  the  ship  away, 
Nor  soaring  eagle  darts  upon  his  prey. 
Life  is  a  vapor,  and  this  world  a  toy, 

A  painted  bubble,  mocking  every  joy. 

27  Should  I  assay  my  sufferings  to  beguile, 
And  garnish  mis'ry  with  a  feigned  smile  ? 
'Tis  not  in  man,  to  change  his  nature  so, 
To  call  pain  pleasure,  and  exult  in  woe  ; 
So  madly  wise,  and  so  absurdly  great, 
No  ills  to  feel  ;  or  feeling,  to  forget, 

28  This  wisdom  folly  is,  contempt  of  Heav'n, 
A  lie  to  reason,  sense,  and  conscience  giv'n. 

(Verse  27,  28.)  If  I  say,,  I  -will  forget  my  complaint,  I  ixill 
leave  off  my  heaviness,  anil  comfort  myself ;  I  am  afraid  of  all 
tny  sorrows,  I  knmu  that  tbou  ivilt  not  bold  me  innocent 

This  is  the  feeling  and  the  language  of  every  good  man  un 
der  affliction.  He  will  be  "  afraid  of  all  his  sorrows,"  lest  he 
should  be  diverted  from  right,  to  wrong  objects  for  relief,  and 
embrace  a  selfish  comfort.  He  will  be  careful  and  conscientious 
ly  concerned,  that  his  grief  be  chastened  with  submission,  and  its 
course  directed  into  the  channel  of  godly  sorrow.  Job  seems  to 
tremble  and  recoil  at  a  state  of  insensibility,  under  affliction; 
•which  seeks  to  blunt  the  keen  edge  of  calamity,  and  with  unfeel 
ing  hardness,  bear  up  under  distress,  by  resisting  the  conviction  of 
sin,  and  grasping  for  creature  comforts,  in  the  room  of  spiritual 
joys.  This,  however  congenial  to  the  natural  temper  of  the  hu 
man  heart,  is  as  inconsistent  with  reason,  as  it  is  destructive  of 
true  peace — it  is  equally  opposed  to  both  our  duty,  and  our  ia- 

(25)  John  xvi.  33.  (26)  ICor.  vii.3l. 

(27)  Lam.  in.  19.  (28)  Psalm  cxix.  12,0. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  45 

Vain  ev'ry  hope,  on  this  foundation  built  ; 
I  feel  my  sorrows,  and  confess  my  guilt. 
A  harden'd  heart  attends  the  harden 'd  sense, 
Preserve  me,  gracious  Heav'n,  from  such  offence. 
The  child  of  sin,  is  pain — I  hear  thy  rod, 
I  own  thy  justice,  and  adore  my  God. 
S9       My  standing  such,  a  guilty  wretch  confessed, 
And  with  this  humbling  tho't,  my  soul  impress'd  ; 
Why  should  I  toil,  t'  evade  the  charge  of  sin, 

30  With  filthy  hands,  to  wash  my  garments  clean  ? 
An  outward  form  cannot  the  test  endure, 

31  For  ev'n  my  purest  virtues  are  impure  ; 
A  secret  venom,  lurking  at  my  heart, 
Spreads  thro'  the  veins,  and  poisons  ev'ry  part  ; 
Mocks  ev'ry  effort  t'  efface  the  stain, 

And  all  my  cleansing  arts  prove  worse  than  vain. 

32  So  great  is  God,  so  holy,  and  so  high, 
So  mean,  so  guilty,  and  so  worthless  I, 

terest.  To  affect  an  irmecence  which  belongs  not  to  our  character 
— a  fortitude  which  belies  every  feeling  of  humanity  ; — to  subs 
stitute  Wind  chance,  for  an  unerring  Providence,  and  attempt  to 
hide  the  hand  of  Heaven,  by  the  fogs  of  casualties  and  secondary 
causes — is,  indeed,  practical  atheism — it  is  virtually  denying  the 
God  that  is  above.  It  may  well  be  styled  heathen  philosophy  ; 
for  certainly,  it  is  not  the  Christian  ;  but  "  opposition  of  science, 
falsely  so  called."  The  humble  Christian  is  very  differently  af 
fected  under  sufferings,  and  with  Job,  will  say,  /  know  that  thou 
<iyilt  not  hold  me  innocent.  He  notices  and  acknowledges  the  hand 
of  Providence,  in  every  thing.  Under  affliction,  he  accepts  the 
punishment  of  his  iniquities — lo«ks  to  hff  God,  and  to  himself, 
and  is  concerned  about  nothing,  but  his  sin  and  his  duty, 

(29)  1  Peter  ii.  20.  (SO)  Psalm  xxvi.  S, 

(r,3)  Numo.   xxiii.  19. 


4-6  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

His  wrath  o'erwhelms,  his  presence  strikes  me  dumb 
Trembles  my  heart,  and  shrinks  from  wrath  to  come 
To  me,  nor  strength,  nor  righteousness  is  giv'n, 
My  cause  to  manage  with  the  King  of  Heav'n  ; 

33  So  great  the  distance,  that  in  vain  I  ask, 
Who  will  perform  the  Mediator's  task  ; 

An  umpire  where,  possess'd  of  grace  and  pow'r, 
The  breach  to  heal,  and  peace  divine  restore  ? 

34  Oh,  if  the  Lord  his  anger  would  restrain, 
His  rod  remove,  and  ease  my  soulffr'om  pain  ; 

35  This  mournful  scene  reversed,  I'd  raise  my  face, 
With  humble  boldness,  to  the  Throne  of  Grace. 
In  vain,  alas  !   I  wish— I  pray — I  mourn— 

My  tongue  be  silent,  as  my  state  forlorn. 


incurable  my  grief  1 

Nor  speech  avails,  nor  silence  brings  relief. 
Worn  out  with  pain,  vexation  and  dismay, 
My  soul  impatient,  burns  to  quit  its  clay. 
I'fl  check  my  wai'dngs,  then,  no  further  mourn  ; 
But  all  my  groans  to  supplications  turn. 

2  Teach  me,  O  God,  the  errors  of  my  way, 
And  wherefore,  thus,  thou  dost  thy  wrath  display. 
In  midst  of  judgment,  call  thy  grace  to  mind, 
And,  Oh,  condemn  me  not,  in  dust  resign'd. 

3  Art  thou  delighted  with  thy -creatures'  pain  ? 
And  viewest  thou  their  comforts  with  disdain  ? 

(33)  1  John  ii.  1.  (34)  Psalm  xc.  11. 

(Ch.  x.  ver.  i.)     1  Kings  xix.  4. 

(2)  Rom.  viiL34,  (3)  Psalm  cxxxviii.  ?. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  47 

Thine  handy  work  dost  thou,  indeed,  disown  ; 
Or  fav'rest  but  the  rebel  to  thy  throne  ? 

4  Se'st  thou  like  man,  with  superficial  view  ? 
Or  judgest  thou  as  darken'd  creatures  do  ? 

5  Is  fixt  thy  being,  like  the  race  of  man, 
And  thy  eternity,  his  short  liv'd  span  ? 

6  Lodge  angry  passions  in  thy  holy  breast, 

That  thou  my  sins  dost  search,  and  marr  my  rest  ? 

7  Impossible.     Thou  know'st  my  heart  sincere, 
Tho'  sins  unnnnlber'd  on  thy  Book  appear. 
Thy  counsels  wise,  almighty  is  thy  hand, 

From  thee,  no  pow'r  can  save— .thee  none  withstand. 

8  Thy  pow'r  my  body  form'd,  my  being  gave,' 
And  yet  thy  pow'r  now  sinks  me  to  the  grave. 

3  Remember,  O  my  God,  I  humbly  pray, 
Thou  art  the  Potter,  I  the  feeble  clay  ; 
And  is  thy  wond'rous  workmanship  in  vain  ? 
Ah  !  wilt  thou  bring  me  to  the. dust  again  ? 

10  By  thee  conceiv'd,  thy  skill  in  secret  wrought, 
My  shapeless  frame  to  form  and  figure  brought  ; 
In  darkness  nourish'd  with  exquisite  art, 

Ere  once  these  vitals  heav'd,  or  beat  this  heart ; 

1 1  With  flesh   and  skin,  as  with  a  garment  dress'd, 
With  bones  was  fenced,  and  with  sinews  brac'd  ; 
The  work,  at  length  complete,  thoi\  broughtest  forth 
The  ripen'd  embryo,  in  a  timely  birth. 

12   Thy  visitation  hath  my  life  preserv'd, 
Thy  bounteous  Providence  my  portion  carv'd  ; 

(4)  1  Sam.  xvi. 7.  (5)  Acts XY.  18,  and  2 Pet. iii.8- 

(7)  Psalm  xxvi.  1,  2.  (9)  Rom.  ix.  21. 

(10)  Acts  xvii.  28.  (11)  2  Cor.  v.  4. 

(12)  Matt.  vi.  25.    Psalm  xxii.  10. 


48  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

All  are  thy  gifts— to  thee,  full  well  I  know, 
My  comforts  here,  and  future  bliss  I  owe. 
13   Thy  secret  counsel  orders  all  my  ways, 

Thy  hand  performs  whate'er  thy  will  decrees. 
14,15  If  I  be  wicked,  mis'ry  is  my  lot, 

Or  were  I  righteous,  I  would  plead  it  not ; 
Or  °aint  or  sinner,  still  my  case  the  same, 
I  .  r  my  guilt  my  virtue  all  disclaim. 

16  ifb*-"' •  Yd  in  confusion,  to  my  God  I  cry, 

"  And  not  on  works,  but  sov*reign  grace  rely." 
Behold  my  sorrows,  O  thou  God  of  Love, 
Look  down  in  mercy,  and  my  pains  remove. 
Fierce  as  the  lion's  rage,  thy  frowns  assail, 
Mild  as  the  morning  beam  thy  smiles  regale. 

17  With  thick'ning  plagues,  thou   mak'st  me  feel  thy 

curse, 

And  all  my  changes  are  from  ill,  to  worse. 
My  joys  are  fled,  each  comfort  leaves  a  scar, 
I  sigh  for  peace,  but  all  around  is  war. 

18  Mysterious  Providence  !  dread  Sov'reign  Pow'r  1 
Why  was  I  born  to  see  this  bitter  hour  ? 

For  this  a  father's  joy,  a  mother's  care, 

My  lot  to  seal,  in  mis'ry  and  despair  ? 

Oh,  had  these  eyes  been  clos'd  in  peaceful  death, 

Ere  I  had  seen  the  light,  or  gasp'd  for  breath  ; 

19  Hud  I  been  hurried  to  the  grave,  unseen, 
Unknown  and  happy  to  have  never  been  ! 

20  Few  are  my  days,  my  life  at  thy  command, 

Cease  then  to  wound  me,  stay  thy  chast'ning  hand  ; 

(14)  Psalm  cxxxix.  1.  (15)  Isaiah  iii.  15.    Exod  iii.  T 

(16)  Isaiah  xxvii.  8.    xlii.  10.     (17)  Ruth  i.  21. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  49 

A  moment's  comfort  give — in  mercy  grant, 

My  last  request,  this  only  good  I  want  ; 
5 1   Before  I  bid  adieu  to  life  and  pain, 

And  dying  nature  sleeps  in  dust  again  ; 

Ere  I  shall  reach  that  land,  "  from  whose  dread 
bourne," 

My  naked  spirit  shall  no  more  return  ; 
22  The  land  of  silence,  cover'd  o'er  with  slain, 

Where  death  and  darkness  in  confusion  reign. 

ZOPHAR. 

XL       Shall  words,  in  torrents,  prove  superior  sense  f 
Hath  wind  the  force  of  reason  to  convince  ? 
Conceited  hypocrite  I  thy  loud  complaint, 
As  such,  becomes  thee  ;  but  disproves  the  saint. 

3  Must  we  thy  lies,  in  quaking  silence,  hear, 
Lost  as  thcu  art  to  sense  cf  shame  and  feur  ? 
No  tongue  reprove  thee,  none  attempt  to  scan 
Thy  impious  mock'ry,  both  of  God  and  man  ? 

4  With  mingled  groans  and  vaunts,  thy  frothy  tongue 
Proclaims  thy  goodness,  and  thy  Maker's  wrong. 

(Verse  4.)  For  thou  hast  said,   My  doctrine  is  pure,  and  1  am 

clean  in  thine  eyes. 

Zop\iar,  in  this  quotation,    probably   refers  to  Job's  words  in 
chap,  vi   10.  and  x.  7. — but  he  was  uncandid  in  the  quotation,  as 
he  substituted  his  own  construction,   which  was  a  mistaken  one, 
for  Job's  real  meaning      Job,  in  saying,    "  I  am  not  wicked,"  in 
a  soleam  appeal  to  God,   did  not,  aad  could  not  mean,  that  he 
was  sinless  ;  for  he  acknowledges  to  God,  (chap.  vii.  20.)  I  have 
sinned  ;  but,  that  he  was  sincere  and  upright,   and  no  hypocrite.  ' 
This  was  the  charge  they  had  brought  against  him,  and  the  guilt, 
(22)  Exod..  x.  22.     Amos  iv.  13. 
(Chap.  x;.  2,)     Acts  xvii.  13. 

"  E 


60  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

«  My  faith  is  right,"  thou  say'st,"  I'm  free  from  sin, 
«  Pure  is  my  heart,  and  all  my  ways  are  clean." 

5  But  oh  !  that  Heav'n  would  ope  thy  darken'd  eyes, 
\nd  God  Himself,  instruct  thee  to  be  wise  ; 

6  Thy  half-learn'd  lesson  teach  thee  well  to  know, 
How  great  is  God,  thyself  how  vile  and  low  ;— 
Then,  would  conviction  seize  thy  stubborn  heart, 
That  God  corrects  thee  less  than  thy  desert. 

7  Put  forth  thy  wisdom  now,  exert  thy  pow'r, 
And  if  thou  canst,  th'  Eternal  Mind  explore. 
Search  deep,soar  high,  send  far  thy  thoughts  abroad, 
Then  tell  precisely,  who,  or  what  is  God- 

His  pow'r,  his  being,  birth  and  end  defin'd, 
Exhaust  the  subject,  leave  no  shred  behind. 
8,9    Aspiring  worm  !  thy  wisdom  toils  in  vain, 
As  soon,  the  pitcher  might  the  sea  contain. 
>Tis  hii-h  as  Heav'n  above  the  ground  we  tread, 
Deeper  than  hell's  profound  abyss  is  laid  ; 
So  firbevondthy  reach,  what  canst  thou  know  . 
Nor  soai4  so  high  thy  thought,  nor  sinks  so  low  ; 


tian,  v;ho  is  m  -  whole  heart— and  hence  by 

«••>• to  r a 

.      "t  Job  S8!' to 

<  Miserable  comforters  are  ye  all. 

(6)  Lam.  iii.  22,  39. 

(7)  1  Cor.  ii-  9. 
(8)Eph.  iv.  10. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  51 

Infinite  lengths,  these  mysteries  transcend 
'    The  narrow  bounds  where  time  and  nature  end. 

10  Enthron'd  in  light,  array 'cl  in  glory's  beam, 
Jehovah  reigns,  eternal  and  supreme  ; 

His  providence  each  changing  scene  effects, 
No  power  his  hand  controls,  his  will  directs  ; 
Nor  force  can  loose,  whene'er  by  him  confin'd, 
And  whom  He  frees,  nor  strength,  nor  art  can  bind. 
Both  life  and  death  wait  on  his  sov'reign  nod, 
And  Heav'n  and  Earth  proclaim  th'  Almighty  God, 

1 1  His  knowledge  too,  unbounded  as  his  pow?r, 
No  depth  can  fathom,  and  no  mind  explore. 
Vain  man  He  knows,  no  cov'ring  hides  his  view, 
Shall  not  his  anger,  then,  the  wretch  pursue  ? 

1 2  The  child  of  man,  tho'  born  a  senseless  brute, 
As  blind  his  heart,  of  grace  as  destitute  ; 
With  his  own  wisdom  swells,  and  lifts  his  eyes, 
In  proud  defiance  of  th'  all  ruling  skies. 

1 3  But  now,  thy  pride  forego,  thy  heart  prepare, 
With  deep  repentance  to  address  His  ear  ; 

14  Thy  life  amend,  to  Heav'n  perform  thy  vows, 
From  its  corruptions,  cleanse  thy  sinful  house  ; 

(Verse  12.)  Vain  man  -would  be  vihc,  &c. 

The  word  like*  in  this  verse,   is  added,    by  the  translators;  but 
without  any  propriety,  or  good  e fleet  ;  the  sense  would  be  mere 
plain,  and  the  comparison  more  descriptive  and  striking  without  it. 
It  is  a  bold  and  animated  figure,  and  exhibits  human  nature,  in 
point  of  moral  goodness,  in  the  most  degraded   view.     It  repre 
sents  man  as  utterly  destitute  of  holiness,  as  the  beasts  that  perish 
— "  born  a  wild  Ass's  colt." 
(10)  Rom.  ix.  19. 
(12)  Rom.  i.  29.     2  Chron,  xii.  14. 
(14)  1  Tim.  ii.  8. 


!  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

1 5  Then,  humbly  bold, stretch  forth  thy  suppliant  hands, 
And  pour  the  thanks  his  wondrous  grace  demandc. 
If,  in  the  robe  of  innocence  array 'd, 

Thy  heart  upright,  thy  peace  with  God  be  made  ; 

16  His  smiling  face  shall  change  thy   night  to  day, 
Thy  suff 'rings  all,  like  streams  shall  glide  away  ; 
Gene  and  forgotten,  never  to  return, 

Thy  fears  shall  end,  thy  soul  no  longer  mourn. 

17  Thy  age  shall  shine,  in  fairest  youthful  bloo'm, 
And  morning  beams  thy  ev'ning  life  relume  ; 

18  Protecting  Heaven,  thy  safety  shall  insure, 
Thy  life  preserve,  thy  comforts  all  secure  ; 
Sweet  peace,  bright  joy,  and  heav'nly  hope  attend 
Decaying  nature, till  thy  life  shall  end  ; 

19  Thy  days  roll  smoothly  on.  thy  labors  blest, ~\ 
No  fears  disturb,  no  anxious  cares  infest,          i- 
Securely  shalt  thou  rise,  securely  rest.  J 
Thy  foes  appeas'd,  asham'd  to  seek  thy  hurt, 

In  crowds  shall  seek  thee,  and  thy  friendship  court. 

20  But  impious  wretches  1,0  such  blessings  share, 
The  wrath  of  Heav'n  pursues  them  to  despair. 
Short  is  their  peace,  their  endless  ruin  nigh, 
Their  strength  too  weak,  to  suffer  or  to  fly  ; 
Escape  they  cannot— .blasted  each  desire, 
They  sink  in  darkness,  and  their  hopes  expire. 


(15)  1  John  Hi.  21.  '  (16)  Isaiah  Ixv.  16. 

(17)  Philip,  ii.  15.  (18)  Lev.  xxvi-  5.     Psalm  iv.  8. 

(19)  Prov.  iii.  24. 

vO";  I,1  ','•  xxvi.  !;">      BciU,  :c.->viii.  17.     Father  v.  13. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 


JOB. 

XII.      The  Men  ye  doubtless  are  ;  alone  possess 

The  worth  and  knowledge  of  the  human  race. 

" 
Ala:' !  that  you  must  die,  such  learning  end, 

«    And  wisdom,  to  the  grave,  v/ith  you  descend. 

But  check  your  froth — a  moment's  pause  to  pride  ; 
Nor  look  with  scorn,  on  all  the  world  beside  ; 

3  Am  I  your  pupil  ?  think  you  me  to  teach  ? 

To  list'ning  babes,  your  prattling  wisdom  preach  ;— 
These  things  full  well  I   know-— who  knows  them 

not  ? 
Unless   devoid  of  reason  and  of  thought. 

4  Deep  sunk  in  ruin,  wretched  and  forlorn, 
I  ask'd  your  pity,  and  I  meet  your  scorn  ; 

My  neighbors  mock  me,  former  friends  despise, 
And  God  alone  now  hearkens  to  my  cries. 
The  good  man's  name  to  infamy  is  hurl'd — - 
(Such  is  the  tender  mercy  of  the  world.) 
At  him  t'<ey  point  the  finger  of  disdain, 
Hiss  at  his  virtues,  and  insult  his  pain. 

5  When  once  he  sinks  in  want,  or  fell  disease, 
He  sinks  neglected  by  the  sons  of  ease  ; 

(Verse  5.)  He  that  is  ready  to  slip  ti'rt-6  his  feet,  is  as  a  lamp 
despised  in  the  thought  of  him  tbat  is  at  ease, 

There  is  some  obscurity  in  this  verse,  arising  from  the  difficulty 
of  immediately  apprehending  the  aptness  of  the  similitude,  and 
the  allusion  of  the  figure — a  lamp  despised.  Perhaps,  this  was 

(Chap.  xii.  1.)     Pi>ov.  xxviii.  11.     1  Cor   iy.  8. 

(3)  2Cor.xi.  5.  (4)  ISam.  i.  7.     Psalm  iv.  0. 

(5)  Jer.  xx.  10. 

E  2 


54  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Like  the  dim  taper,  blown  and  cast  away> 
Despis'd  and  useless,  in  the  light  of  day. 

C  To  other  lords,  the  goods  of  time  are  giv'n  ; 
The  wicked  prosper — such  the  will  of  Heav'n. 
With  heaps  of  gold,  is  fill'cl  the  miser's  hoard, 
While  peace  and  plenty  crown  the  robber's  board  ; 
Who  mock  at  Heav'n,  and  grind  the  starving  poor. 
Go  out  in  safety,  and  return  secure  ; 
On  them,  the  Lord,  unmeasm'd  wealth  bestows, 
With  good  their  hands  are  fill'd,  their  cup  o'erflows. 

7       Nor  is  his  Providence  to  man  confin'd  ; 
Extends  his  goodness  to  all  creature-kind. 
Ask  now  the  beasts,  that  range  the  wilds  for  prey, 
Or  fowls  of  Heav'n,  and  songsters  on  the  spray  ; 

a  proverbial  saying  founded  on  some  usaje,  or  custom  of  the  an 
cients,  now  unknown  ;  and  thence,  its  obscurity. — Different  ex 
planations  are  given  of  it  by  Commentators  ;  but,  doubtless,  the 
most  simple  and  obvious  interpretation,  will  come  nearest  the 
truth.  MERCERUS  paraphrases  it  thus — "  I  am  as  a  torch  des 
pised,  or  as  a  blazing  firebrand,  from  which  every  one  flees,  thro' 
fear  of  being  burned  ;  so  you  abhor  and  despise  me  in  my  afflic 
tion."  SEULTETUS,  thus — "  The  just  man  in  a  state  of  misfor 
tune  and  wretchedness,  is  viewed  as  a  half-burnt  firebrand  upon 
the  hearth,  the  smoke  and  odor  of  which  is  so  disgusting  to  the 
senses,  as  to  cause  every  one  to  flee  from  it."  But  these  construc 
tions  seem  unnatural  and  far-fetched — that  of  PISCATOR  is  pre 
ferable,  viz.  "  The  afflicted  and  unfortunate  are,  usually,  despised 
by  the  prosperous  and  happy,  such  as  the  friends  of  Job,  to 
•whom  no  one  gives  any  trouble.  You,  who  are  the  sons  of 
smiling  prosperity,  abhor  and  despise  me  in  affliction.  As  when 
at  break  of  day,  and  the  returning  light  cf  the  sun,  we  put  out 
the  midnight  lamp,  and  it  is  cast  aside,  as  useless — so  the  pious 
man,  in  misfortune,  is  despised  as  worthless,  by  the  sens  of  ease. 

(6)  Jer.xii.  1.     Hab.  i.  3,4. 

(7)  Prov.  vi.  6,  7-    Jer.  via.  7.     Rom.  i.  20. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  55 

8  Call  on  the  fishes,  question  well  the  earth, 

All  will  instruct  thee — each  proclaims  his  birth  ; 
With  voice  united,  hear  them  all  declare, 
k<  His  hand  hath  form'd  us,  we  his  creatures  are, 
Ilis  bounty  feeds  us."  *  All,  his  art  confess, 
Taught  birds  instinctive,  how  to  build  their  nests  ; 
Their  varied  plumage,  purple,  gold  and  blue, 
His  skill  devis'd  and  his  own  pencil  drew. 
He  taught  the  bee,  to  form  her  comb  so  neat, 
And  store  her  waxen  cells  with  liquid  sweet  ; 
Beasts,  birds  and  fishes,  from  his  vestry  clothes  ; 
There,  softest  ermine,  pride  of  princes,  grows, 
Here,  plumes  adorn  ;  then  next,  the  silver  scales, 
While  herbs  and  fiow'rs  o'erspread  the  hills  and 
vales. 

9  Who  hears  not  Nature's  voice  ?  say,  who  so  blind, 
As  not  in  these  to  see  th'  Eternal  mind, 

10  The  universal  Lord,  who  all  things  gave, 

In  whom,  all  live,  and  move,  and  being  have  ?       . 

1 1  Shall  we  affect  to  doubt,  or  disbelieve 

Those  inaths,  which  from  our  senses  we  receive  ?- 

12  Shall  not  experience  rule,  with  potent  wand, 
And  grey-hair'd  wisdom  claim  to  understand  ? 
From  aged  lips,  we  hear  the  voice  of  truth, 
To  guide  the  steps  of  inexperienc'd  youth  ; 

13  But  what  is  man,  the  being  of  an  hour  ? 

With  God  is  wisdom,  and  with  Him  is  pow'r. 

*  The  reader  will  please  to  excuse  the  liberty  of  enlarging,  here 
taken  by  the  paraphraser  ;  as  it  is  but  pursuing  the  spirit  of  Job's 
address  which  was  to  shew  the  universal  providence  of  God. 

(9)  Col.  i,  17.     Heb.  i-  2.  (10)  Dan.  v.  23. 

(13)  Jam.  i.  5. 


56  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Ancient  of  days,  omniscient  and  supreme. 
His  counsel  stands,  unchanging  is  his  scheme  ; 

14  He  overthrows  the  mighty  works  of  men, 
And  no  created  arm  can  build  again. 
When  He  confines,  in  bonds  of  pain  or  woe, 
His  hand  alone,  enlargement  can  bestow. 

15  Rivers  and  seas  are  diy'd  at  his  command, 
Or  burst  their  channels  and  o'erflow  the  land. 

1 6  Pow'rful  his  word,  and  all  his  ways  are  wise, 
Both  the  deceiver,  and  deceiv'd  are  his  ; 
And  if  a  sparrow,  or  an  empire  fall, 

His  eye  surveys,  his  counsel  governs  all. 

17  In  error's  path,  He  leads  the  wise  astray, 
Of  counsel  spoil'd,  and  to  their  foes  a  prey  ; 

The  learned  judge,  tho'  taught  in  wisdom's  school, 
In  judgment  stumbles,  and  becomes  a  fool. 
IS       From  Him,  the  great,  the  glorious  King  of  kings, 
The  po\v'r  of  princes,  earthly  sov'reigns  springs  ; 
By   him  brought  down,  they're  weaken'd  arid  de- 

thron'd, 
As  captives  vanquish'd,  and  in  fetters  bound. 

(Verse  18.)  He  looscth  the  bond  of  kings — i.  e.  God  reduces 
their  power  and  dominion — their  wisdom,  strength  and  majesty, 
those  bonds  by  which  their  people  are  held  in  subjection  to  them, 
he  relaxes  and  dissolves,  and  brings  them  into  weakness  and  con- 
tempt.r And  glrdeth  their  loins  v:ith  a  girdle.  This  is  a  counter 
part  to  the  former  ;  signifying  that  kings  are  wholly  dependent 
on  God,  for  all  their  dominion,  power  and  authority.  "  By  me 
kings  reign."  He  gives  them  all  their  strength  and  greatness. — 
To  gird  up  the  loins,  is  a  well  known  scripture  metaphor,  to  de 
note  the  assumption  of  strength  and  courage. 

(14)  Mai.  i.  4.  (18)  Dan.  5i.  21. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  5f 

19  Kings,  princes,  judges,  rulers,  nobles,  all, 
His  hand  exalts,  and  at  his  frown,  they  fall. 

20  He  saps  the  counsel  of  the  trusty  sage, 
And  blights  the  wisdom  of  experienc'd  age  ; 

2 1  Pours  foul  disgrace  upon  the  pride  of  kings 
And  mighty  conq'rors  down  to  slav'ry  brings. 

22  His  piercing  eye  all  worlds  and  things  surveys, 
Alike  in  midnight  or  the  noon-day  blaze  : 
Past,  present,  future,  form  one  endless  Now  ; 
In  Heav'n  He  dwells,  nor  less  on  earth  below  ; 
His  word,  to  men,  his  secret  counsel  tells, 
And  the  dark  scenes  of  death  and  hell  unveils. 

23  His  sov'reign  pow'r  the  tide  of  empire  rolls, 
if  And  States  and  Nations  orders  and  controls. 

Now  rosy  health,  and  peace  with  olive  wand, 
And  smiling  plenty  bless  the  happy  land  ; 
The  fields  their  fruits,  the  seas  their  treasures  pour, 
And  men,  and   flocks,   and  herds  o'erspread  the 

shore— 

Their  wealth  increases,  population  grows, 
And  blooms  the  desert,  like  the  op'ning  rose. 
Now  chang'd  the  scene — lo  !  sickness,  famine,  Avar, 
O'er   slaughter'd    thousands,    urge  their   dreadful 

car  ; — 

Their  numbers  minish'd,  coop'd  in  narrow  bounds. 
And  slav'ry's  groan,  the  ear  distracted  wounds  ; 
By  angry  Heav'n  overwhelm'd,  they  strive  in  vain, 
Nor  strength,  nor  courage,  arts  nor  arms  remain. 

(19)  Rev.  xix.  18, 

(20)  2  Sam.  xvil  14.    Acts  xii.  22. 
(22)  ICor.ii.lO. 


58  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

24  Their  panic-smitten  chiefs,  with  sore  dismay, 
Fly  from  the  scene,  and  shun  the  light  of  day  ; 

25  Through  devious  wilds,  thro'  shades  of  death,  they 

roam, 
Reeling  with  fear,  and  wand'ring  far  from  home. 

XIII.      All  this  I  know  ; — endu'd  with  common  sense, 
To  common  knowledge,  I  have  just  pretence. 

2  Le/  minds  inferior,  take  inferior  place, 

Let  dolts  and  wrongheads  seek  their  own  disgrace  ; 
O'er  such  extend  your  magisterial  sway, 
Who'll  wait  your  teaching,  and  with  fear  obey  : 
My  pupilage  is  past — whate'er  you  know, 
With  me  is  common  place 1  know  it  too. 

3  To  God,  the  wise,  the  just,  I  would  apply  ; 
His  throne  address  and  raise  my  suppliant  cry  j 
To  Him  now  turn,  in  confident  discourse, 
And  my  warm  suit  with  arguments  enforce. 

4  As  weak,  as  pompous,  is  your  proffer'd  aid, 
Your  counsel  lighter  than  the  shadow's  shade  ; 
Ah,  wretched  helpers,  vain  physicians  all  I 

Your  words  are  falsehood,  and  your  med'cine,  gall 

5  Seal  then,  your  lips,  be  silent  and  be  wise, 
In  silence,  not  in  speech,  your  wisdom  lies. 

6  Hear  now  my  reas'ning,  hear  the  words  I  preach, 
The  truth  receive,  and  learn  before  you  teach. 

7  Is  such  your  zeal  for  God  ?  say,  honest  men  ; 
With  wicked  arts,  will  ye  his  cause  defend  ? 

(24)  Rom.  i.  21.  (25)  2  Kings  vi.  18. 

(5)  Prov.  xvii.  28.  (6)  Jam.  i.  19. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Will  ye  for  God  be  partial— court  his  grace, 
And  run  to  serve  Him,  in  contention's  race 

8  Can  this  be  pleasing  in  his  holy  sight  ? 
Will  He  your  favors  with  his  thanks  requite 

9  Would  it  or  peace  or  happiness  impart, 

If  God  should  search,  and  shew  your  inmost  heart 
Or  will  ye  'scape  his  view,  secure  in  sin, 
And  mock  your  Maker,  as  your  fellow  men  . 

10  If  party -interest  your  actions  move, 

Know  ye,  that  God  your  conduct  will  reprove  ; 
However  secret,  hid  in  fair  disguise, 
Think  not  t'  escape  the  notice  of  his  eyes.  _ 

1 1  Shall  not  his  greatness  strike  your  minds  wit! 
His  excellency  to  obedience  draw  ? 

Shall  feeble  worms  defy  his  angry  rod  ? 
Shall  dust  and  ashes  tempt  th'  eternal  C 

12  Know,  that  your  flesh  must  moulder  in  the  tomb, 
Fade  all  your  honors  in  their  fairest  bloom  ; 
Vanish  your  hopes,  as  figures  drawn  in  earth, 
Your  mem'ries  perish,  like  th'  untimely  birth 

1 3  Then  muse  in  silence,  lend  a  patient  c 
My  words  instructive,  with  attention  hear  ; 
Cease  your  vain  clamor,  your  revilings  cease, 
Whate'er  distresses  may  affect  my  peace, 

Be  mine  the  risque  ;— vour  cares  for  me  forego  ; 
Search  your  own  readings,  and  your  errors  k 

1 4  If  sound  your  doctrine,  and  your  reas'mn; 
That,  on  the  wicked  only,  ills  alight, 

(8)  Johnxvi.2.  (9)  Gal.vi.7. 

(12)   Prov.x.  7.  (13)  Prov.  xxvm.  1. 

(14)  1  Pet.  iv.  19. 


40  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Why  sinks  my  soul,  by  God's  fierce  wrath  oppress'd. 
While  conscious  virtue  glows  within  my  breast  ? 
Wherefore  my  flesh,  from  dint  of  pain,  I  gnaw, 
And  my  short  breath,  in  constant  danger  draw  ? 
To  me  unjust,  and  of  my  God  untrue, 
This  thought  abandon,  and  the  truth  pursue. 
15       Here  \\ill  I  hold,  this  hope  will  ne'er  resign, 
God  is  my  Father,  and  his  grace  is  mine  ; 
Though  clouds  and  tempests  darken  all  belov,-, 
Though  pain  and  anguish  whelm  my  soul  in  woe  ; 
In  this  I'm  fixt — his  goodness  I  will  trust, 
And  bless  his  hand,  which  sinks  me  to  the  dust  ; 
The  path  of  virtue  steadily  pursue, 
Nor  doubt  his  faithfulness  to  guide  me  through. 

(Verse  15.)     Though  be  slay  me,  yet  -will  I  trust  in  him. 

This  was  one  of  the  noblest  declarations  ever  Kttered  by  the 
mouth  c  f  man.  Here  the  character  of  Job  shines  with  a  daz 
zling  splendor,  like  the  sun  bursting  through  the  clouds.  In 
this  he  appears  in  a  very  distinguished  view,  a  true  child  of 
Abraham,  who,  against  hope,  believed  in  hope,  and  staggered 
not  at  the  promise  of  God  through  unbelief,  but  was  strong  in 
the  faith,  giving  glory  to  God.  Suffering  virtue,  rising  superior 
to  affliction,  with  that  strength  of  faith  and  trust  in  God,  which 
overcome  every  temptation,  exhibits  the  human  character  in 
the  most  dignified  attitude,  and  is  the  most  transcendent  display 
of  the  power  of  Divine  Grace.  What  higher  honor  can  a  crea 
ture  possibly  render  to  his  Creator? — Christian  Rreader,  let  not 
this  bright  example  shine  in  vain.  It  was  designed  for  imita 
tion. — Under  the  heaviest  pressure  of  affiiction,  and  the  davkest 
hidings  of  Gcd's  face,  go  and  kindle  up  thy  expiring  graces,  at 
the  torch  of  Job,  and,  with  him,  say  from  the  heart,  «'  Though 
he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him — but  I  will  maintain  mire 
own  ways  before  him." 

(15)  Rom.  via.  38. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  61 

16  Rich  is  his  grace,  and  stands  his  cov'nant  sure, 
From  age  to  age,  his  mercy  shall  endure. 
From  sin  and  pain  and  ev'ry  ill  set  free, 

My  soul  enlarg'd,  his  smiling  face  shall  see  ; 
Through  fields  of  light,  in  endless  pleasures  rove. 
And  chant  the  wonders  of  REDEEMING  LOVE. 
There,  upright  souls  alone,  shall  taste  his  grace, 
And  tune  their  harps  to  songs  of  endless  praise  ; 
While  painted  hypocrites,  his  frowns  expel, 
To  reap  their  wages,  in  the  pains  of  hell. 

1 7  Now  hear  my  voice,  with  diligence  give  heed, 
My  cause  is  stated — truth  alone  shall  plead  ; 

18  If  clearly  seen,  if  rightly  understood, 
I  shall  be  justify 'd,  by  all  the  good. 

19  Where  my  opponent  now  ?  who'll  counterplead  ? 
Who  shew  compassion  on  a  friend  in  need  ? 

'    For  such  my  burden,  that  I  groan,  and  sigh, 
And  were  I  dumb,  must  quickly  sink  and  die. 

20  Two  special  favors,  O  my  God,  but  grant, 
And  these  receiv'd,  shall  well  supply  my  want  ; 
Nor  would  I  shun  thee,  as  a  judge  severe, 

But  fly  to  seek  thee,  as  a  parent  dear.  " 
"21    Withdraw  thy  hand,  thy  chustisemtnt  recall, 

jYor  lei  thy  majesty  my  soul  aJi/iaL 
22   Then  would  I  raise  my  head,  and  humbly  bold, 

With  God  my  Maker,  mutual  conf 'rence  hold  ; 

Thy  gracious  call,  obedient  let  me  hear, 

And  grant  thy  answer  to  my  fervent  pray'r. 

(16)  Matt.  xxv.  51.  (18)  Rom.  viii,  2?. 

(19)  Rom.  viii.  33.     Jer.  xx.  9, 
(21)  Psalm  xxxii.  4. 

F 


62  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

2  3  Cause  me  my  guilt  to  know — before  my  face, 
My  sins  unnumber'd,  in  their  order  place. 

24  Why  hidest  thou  thy  countenance  from  me  ? 
With  angry  scorn  my  misery  dost  see  ? 

With  arms  and  mighty  pow'r,  why  dost  o'erthrow 
A  trembling  creature,  as  thy  desp'rate  foe  ? 

25  Wilt  thou  a  leaf  pursue  ?  O  Judge  Supreme  ! 
Or  the  dry  stubble,  with  devouring  flame  ? 

26  With  awful  pains,  thy  frowns  my  sins  requite, 
And  bitter  things,  in  judgment  'gainst  me  write  ; 
Upon  my  aching  heart,  impress  thy  truth, 

And  rack  my  conscience  with  the  sins  of  youth. 

27  Immur'tl  in  darkness,  fasten'd  to  the  ground, 
My  feet  with  lameness,  as  in  fetters  bound  ; 
Wi:h  watchful  eye  thou  strictly  guard'st  my  way, 
And  mark'st  my  footsteps,  lest  thy  pris'ner  stray. 

28  Here,  as  a  mothy  garment,  I  consume, 
Or  putrid  carcase  in  the  loathsome  tomb. 

XIV.      Such  is  our  state — IIOAV  short  the  life  of  Man  ! 

Few  are  his  days,  and  trouble  fills  his  span. 
2  Like  the  fair  flow'r  of  op'ning  Spring,  he  shoots, 
Spreads  his  green  branches,  and  extends  his  roots,- 
But  short  his  date  ;  how  soon  his  beauty's  lost, 
Pluck'd  is  the  flow'r,  and  trampled  in  the  dust. 
As  empty  shadows  flit  across  the  plain, 
This  moment  view'd,  and  never  view'd  again  ; 
Man  disappears,  forgotten  and  unseen, 
Mingled  with  dust  as  though  he  ne'er  had  been. 

(23)  Psalm  xix.  12.  (34)  Isaiah  viii.  17. 

(2.5)  Matt  xii.  20.  (28)  Psalm  cii.  26. 

(Chap  yii   1.)  Psalm  xc.  5. 
(2)  liaiuli  xl.  6. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  ,63 

3.       And  dost  them,  Lord  of  Heaven,  supreme  and  just, 
Stoop  to  behold  this  creature  of  the  dust  ? 
Is  such  my  worth,  in  thy  impartial  sight, 
That  thou  should'st  weigh  me  in  the  scale  of  right  ? 
Affix  such  honor  to  so  vile  a  tiling, 
And  all  my  weakness  into  judgment  bring  ? 

4  Sprung  from  the  man,  whose  guilty  fall  convey* 
The  stream  of  moral  poison  to  his  race  ; 
Deriv'd  from  such  a  fountain,  all  unclean, 

No  child  of  Adam  can  be  free  from  sin.. 

5  Since  then,  his  days  are  rmmber'd,  and  alas  1 
His  bounds  are  fixed,  which  he  cannot  pass  ; 
Since  here,  alone,  he  tastes  the  sweets  of  hoper 
And  some  small  good  is  mingled  in  his  cup  ; 

6  Embitter  not,  with  anguish,  pain  and  strife, 
The  scanty  comforts  of  his  mortal  life  ; 
His  peace  disturb  not,  turn  thy  wrath  away, 
Till  as  an  hireling,  he  hath  clos'd  bis  day. 
Death  ends  the  scene— Ms  work  and  life  expire, 

And  joy   and  hope  no  more  his  bosom  ore 

Departed  hence  ;  in  vain  survivors  mourn 
What  once  he  was,  who  never  will  return. 

7,  8       The  senseless  trees,  high  waving  o'er  the  coasj? 
Pre-em'nence  claim,  and  higher  priv'Iege  boast  ; — 
The  sturdy  oak,  o'erthrown  by  stormy  winds, 
Tho'  turn'd  to  dust,  a  resurrection  finds. 
9  The  moisten'd  earth  its  sap  and  life  supplies, 
And  from  its  ashes  towr'ing  sprouts  arise. 

(3)  Psalm  xxxiv.  15.  and  c:;liv.  3. 

(4l  Psalm  li.  5.     Rom.  iii.  13. 

(5)  Heb    ix.  27.  (6)  Isaiah  Ivii.  2. 

i'7)  Eccl.  i.  4,  5.  (8)  Isaiah  xxvi.  19. 


*4  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

10  But  man  falls  desp'rate — when  he  yields  the  ghost, 
He  wastes  in  death,  and  hope  with  life  is  lost. 

1 1  As  waters,  wasting  from  the  ocean's  bed, 

,     Or  refluent  floods,  which  have  the  land  overspread  ; 

1.2  So  mortal  men,  when  this  vain  life  is  o'er, 
Sink  to  the  earth,  and  shall  arise  no  more, 
Nor  vrake  from  death,  nor  from  the  grave  ascend, 
Till  th'  heav'ns  dissolve,  and  time  and  nature  end. 

13  ALMIGHTY  MAKER,  I  implore  thy  grace — 
Oh,  grant  me,  in  the  grave,  a  hiding  place, 
A  safe  asylum,  till  thy  wrath  be  past, 

And  life's  dark  whirlwind's  bleak  and  angry  blast  ; — 
Then,  in  thy  time,  thy  mercy  call  to  mind, 
And  let  thy  worm  a  resurrection  find. 

14  Shall   Spring  illume  the   grave — shall  mould'ring 

clay 
Emerge  from  darkness,  to  the  light  of  day  ? 

(Verse  14.)  All  tie  days  of  my  appointed  time,  &c. 
It  is  thought  by  some,  that  Job,  in  this,  had  a  primary  and 
immediate  reference  to  the  resurrection  ;  but  I  doubt  it.  It  is  true, 
and  very  evident  from  the  connection,  that  the  resurrection  of 
£he  body,  ai:d  a  glorious-  immortality  beyond  the  grave,  were  the 
source  cf  comfort  and  support  to  him,  under  his  heavy  affliction, 
and  in  the  nearand  realizingview  of  death;  and  hence  he  strength 
ens  himself,  to  wait  with  patience  for  the  time  of  his  departure, 
which  he  earnestly  desired  and  longed  for :  and  this  was  a 
very  proper  motive  to  check  all  impatient  desires  of  death,  in 
dutiful  submission  to  the  will  of  Gcd.  I  believe  that  the  phrase, 
appointed  thne,  is  here  used  in  the  same  sense,  that  it  is,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  seventh  chapter. 

(10)  Eccl.  i.  11.  (12)  2  Vet.  Hi.  10. 

(13)  Psalm  xci.  1, 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  65 

Shall  man  from  death  revive — his  life  renew  ? 
Transporting  thought  !  my  soul  believe  it  true. 
O  blessed  hope  !  with  patience  will  I  wait, 
Thro*  this  vain  life,  and  thro'  the  sep'rate  state  ; — 
The  time  is  fixt — my  change  shall  shortly  come, 
Soon,  shall  my  dust  sleep  sweetly  in  the  tomb, 

15  Till  the  bright  morn,  the  glorious  hour  arrive, 
When  God,  my  gracious  Judge,  shall  bid  me  live ; 
Then,  will  I  hear  thy  call  from  Heav'n  above, 
Leap  into  life,  and  shout  redeeming  love. 

16  This  hope  alone,  the  ills  of  life  sustains, 
Dispels  my  darkness,  and  relieves  my  paine. 
My  steps  thou  numb'rest,  thro'  this  vale  of  tears, 
This  state  of  trial,  fill'd  with  doubts  and  fears. 

17  Here,  all  my  actions  pass  before  thine  eyes, 
My  sins  all  sealed  to  the  grand  assize. 

18  Thysov'reign  will  controls  the  art  of  man, 
Directs  his  changes,  and  cuts  short  his  span. 
Feeble  the  pow'r  which  his  fond  pride  can  boast, 
His  beauty  fades,  and  all  his  strength  is  lost. 

As  the  high  mountain  falling,  comes  to  nought, 
As  tumbling  rocks  are  into  ruin  brought, 
9,20  As  rapid  torrents  wear  the  solid  stone, 

And  sweep  whatever  in  the  fields  is  sown  ; 
Thy  conq'ring  hand  the  hope  of  man  destroys, 
Confounds  his  schemes,  and  withers  all  his  joys, 

(15)  John  v.  28.     1  Thess.  iv.  16. 

(18)  Heb.  viii.  13. 

(19)  Jer.  xvii.  6.     Luke  xii.  19. 

(20)  Exod.  xv.  3. 

F    2" 


C6  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

22  Tortur'd  with  pain,  his  soul  in  anguish  mourns  ; 

Chang'd  is  his  face,  his  flesh  to  dust  returns  ; 
3 1  He  bids  adieu  to  time  and  all  its  cares, 

Forgets  his  friends,  his  children,  and  his  heirs  ; 

Alike  to  him,  unknowing  as  unknown, 

Should  they  possess  a  cottage,  or  a  throne. 


(21)  Eccl.  ii.  19. 


PART  III. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


ELIPH  AZ  reproves  Job  for  his  impiety  in  justifying  himself — 
exemplifies  the  disquietudes  and  misery  of  wicked  men.  Job, 
in  reply,  reproves  his  frienus  for  their  cruelty— describes  the 
•wretchedness  of  his  state,  and  maintains  his  own  uprightness. 
He  appeals  from  men  to  God.  The  unmerciful  dealings  of 
men  towards  the  righteous  may  astonish,  but  cannot  discou 
rage  them.— BUdad  taxes  Job  with  impatience  and  pretump- 
tion,  and  sets  forth  the  calamities  of  the  wicked.  Job  repeats 
his  complaint  of  their  cruelty—- shews  there  is  misery  enough 
in  him,  to  gratify  it — craves  pity,  and  professes  his  faith  in  the 
resurrection— Zophar  shews  the  state  and  portion  of  the  wickr 
ed. — Job  replies,  that  even  in  the  judgment  of  men  he  has 
reason  to  be  grieved — Sometimes  the  wicked  so  prosper  as  to 
despise  God — sometimes,  their  destruction  is  manifest  The 
happy  and  the  unhappy  are  alike  in  death.  The  judgment  o£ 
the  wicked  is  in  another  world. 

Tbitfart  exttndt  to  tbt  end  of  tit  21*f  Cbafter. 


ELIPHAZ. 


XV.  OTRANGE  !  that  a  man  so  learned  and  so  great,- 
2,  3  Should  stoop  to  folly,  and  in  nonsense  prate  ; 
Absurdly  wise,   unprofitably  good, 
Sup  sounds  for  doctrine,  and  the  wind  for  food  ! 

4  The  myst'ry  ends  ;  nor  more  we  feel  surprise, 
From  such  a  cause,  such  reas'nings  should  arise  ; 
Or  that  a  man,  who  shuns  the  source  of  light, 
Should  walk  in  darkness,  talk  in  reason's  spite. 
The  fear  of  Ileav'n,  thy  swelling  pride  disdains, 
And  from  thy  God  the  humble  pray'r  restrains  ; 

3  Cameleon-Hke,  and  void  of  grace  at  heart, 
The  changing,  cringing  hypocrite,  thou  art. 

6  Tho'  skill 'd  in  falsehood,  thy  deceitful  tongue 

Thine  art  detects,  and  manifests  thy  wrong 

Thy  lips,  not  mine,  reprove  thee — self  arraign'd, 
And  self-adjudg'd,  thou  arguest  to  no  end. 

f  Is  such  thine  age,  so  ancient  is  thy  fame, 

Of  modern  sages,  thcu  should'st  def 'rence  claim  ? 

(2)  Neh.  vl.  11.  (3)  Matt.  xii.  36,  37. 

(»  1  Pet.  in..  7.  (6)  Luke,  xix.  22, 


70  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Didst  thou  exist  the  first  born  of  thy  race  ? 

Or  ere  the  hills,  hadst  thou  on  earth  a  place  ? 
$  Hast.thou  the  secret  will  of  Heav'n  explor'd, 

Th' eternal  purpose  of  th'  Almighty  Lord  ? 

Say,  wond'rous  man,  thou  first  of  human  kind, 

Is  wisdom  to  thy  single  breast  confin'd  ? 
9  What  knowest  thou,  to  us  that's  still  unknown  ? 

Is  all  the  knowledge  in  the  world  thine  own  ? 

Prove  now  thy  learning,  ope  thy  hidden  store, 

Profoundly  deep  in  metaphysic  lore  ; 

The  right  from  wrong  distinguish,  false  from  true, 

And  teach  us  what,  'till  now,  we  never  knew. 

10  But  know,  proud  man,  this  point  of  wisdom  gain  ; 
Th'  attempt  is  needless,  and  the  labor  vain  ; 

We  have  th'  instruction  of  experienc'd  age, 
With  us  are  fathers,  and  the  hoary  sage, 

Much  elder  than  thy  Sire 

Since  thou  Avilt  not  to  our  green  years  attend, 
Hear  what  they  teach,  and  be  to  Job  a  friend. 

1 1  Dost  thou  despise  the  comforts  of  thy  God  ? 
Refuse  submission  to  his  chast'ning  rod  ? 
What  secret  charm,  what  substitute  for  faith, 
Thus  buoys  thy  heart,  to  triumph  over  death  ? 

12  What  drives  thee  forward,  in  thy  impious  course, 
On  wrong  deterrnin'd,  and  from  bad  to  worse  ? 
Sunk,  as  thou  art,  in  wretchedness  forlorn, 
Why  cast  thine  eyes  on  all  around  with  scorn  ; 

13  Dost  spurn  indignant,  ev'ry  mercy  giv'n, 
And  vent  thy  rage  against  the  God  of  Heav'n  ? 

(8)  Rom.  xi.  33.  (10)  1  Cor.  viii.  2. 

(11)  2  Cor.  5.3.  &  Heb   xii.  5    1  Kings  xxii.  24. 
(13)  Chap.  vii.  20.  and  ix.  30.  and  xiii.  26. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  71 

What  madness  blinds  thee,  what  infuriate  zeal, 
Thus  to  resist  thy  Maker's  holy  will  ? 

14  Reflect,  I  pray  thee,  to  the  truth  attend, 
Consider  well,  thy  being,  birth  and  end  ; 

Ask  now  thyself— this  humbling  question  scan, 
What  is  that  active,  restless  thing,  call'd — man  ? 
Can  he  be  pure,  of  such  impure  descent  ? 
Can  woman's  son  be  righteous,  excellent  ? 

15  Next  bid  thy  thoughts,  to  soar  above  the  sky, 
From  dust  and  ashes,  to  the  Lord,  Most  High.— 
Sublime  his  throne,  how  bright  his  glories  shine, 
In  spotless  purity,  and  pow'r  divine  ! 

In  none  He  trusts  ;  his  greatness  stoops  to  view 

What  mortal  men,  what  holy  angels  do  ; 

All  beauty  "fades  in  his  refulgent  light, 

And  the  pure  Heav'ns  are  filthy  in  his  sight— 

1 6  How  much  more  vile  is  man,— oh,  how  unclean  ! 
Who  drinks  iniquity  and  bathes  in  sin  ! 

17  Hear  then.  O  Job,  with  patient  ear  attend, 
Nor  spurn  th'  instruction  of  a  faithful  friend  ; 

1 3  What  I  have  seen,  and  what  wise  men  have  told, 
Heard  from  their  fathers,  in  the  days  of  old. 

(Verse  18.)  Wbicb  -wise  men  have  told  from  their  fathers,  &c. 

It  seems  an  argument  in  proof  of  the  antiquity  of  the  Book  of 
Job,  tha*.  neither  he  nor  his  friends  cite  any  other  than  tradition 
ary  authorities,  in  support  of  their  respective  arguments — they 
invariably  appeal  to  the  instruction  of  their  fathers.  From  this 
circumstance,  it  appears  they  lived  before  any  written  revelation 
was  extant,  and  of  course  bef<  re  the  days  of  Moses. — What  fol 
lows  from  the  19th  verse,  to  the  end  of  the  Chapter,  is  to  be  con 
sidered  as  Eliphaz's  quotation  from  the  fathers. 

(14)  JProv.  xx.  9.  (16)  Psalm,  xiv.  4. 

(18)  Gen.  xviii.  18. 


I  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

19  To  whom  alone  the  teeming  earth  was  giv'n, 
Who  till'd  the  soil,  and  own'd  no  Lord  but  Heav'n  ; 
No  foe  assail'd  them,  by  no  yoke  oppressed, 

Nor  foreign  influence  e'er  disturb'd  their  rest  ;— 
These  are  their  words,  thy  fixt  attention  give, 
Note  their  instruction,  and  the  truth  believe. 

20  "  Short  and  uncertain  is  th'  oppressor's  state  ; 
He  rushes  blindfold  to  his  awful  fate. 

The  impious  worldling,  midst  his  golden  toys, 
Is  hut  a  wretch  devoid  of  real  joys  ; 
With  cares  corroded,  worn  with  envious  strife, 
Constant  his  pain,  and  lasting  as  his  life  ; 

2 1  While  keen  remorse,  with  dark,  foreboding  fears, 
His  heart  appals,  and  thunders  in  his  ears. 

Mid  scenes  of  plenty,  prosp'rous  and  secure, 
Death  marks  his  prey,  nor  aims  his  dart  unsure. 

,  2-   He  dreads  the   darkness  of  the  silent  night, 
In  awful  doubt  of  morn's  returning  light  ; 
And  when  affliction  spreads  her  sable  veil, 
What  nameless  horrors  his  pain'd  heart  assail  ! 
Trembling  he  walks,  in  doubt  to  stand  or  fly, 
Starts  at  each  sound,  and  thinks  th'  assassin  nigh. 

53       "  Next,  see  him,  by  imperious  hunger  led, 
A  wand'rvng  mendicant,  in  quest  of  bread. 
Repuls'd  with  scorn,  he  knocks  from  door  to  door, 
Consumes  his  crumbs,  and  begs  in  vain  for  more. 
No  bright'ning  prospect  cheers  his  hopeless  path, 
Wrapt  in'the  darkness  of  approaching  death. 

(19)  Joel  iii.  17.         (20)  1  Tin*  vi.  9,  10. 

(21)  Lev.  xxvi.  36.     (22)  2  Kings  vi.  33.  &.  Matt,  xxvii.  5. 

(23)  Gen.  iv.  12.  and  Psalm  cix.  10 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  73 

54  Unnumber'd  ills,  with  formidable  might, 
O'erwhelm  his  soul,  in  anguish  and  affright. 
As  when  a  Prince,  in  hostile  arms  array'cl, 
Leads  forth  his  troops,  the  helpless  to  invade, 
The  conq'ring  foe  spreads  terror   all   around, 
The  vanquish'd  fly,  and  corses  strew  the  ground. 

25  "  Yet  still  the  wretch,  by  -desp'rate  madness  driv'n, 
Swells  with  fresh  strength,  and  points  his  rage  at 

Heav'n. 

Pamper'd  in  wanton  ease  at  lux'ry's  board, 
The  harden'd  rebel  dares  disown  his  Lord. 
His  pride  unhumbled,  tho'  too  weak  to  stand, 
Against  his  God,  he  lifts  his  impious  hand  ; 

26  Defies  his  pow'r,  too  obstinate  to  yield, 

His  thunder  braves,  and  runs  upon  his  shield. 

27  So  the  fierce  bull,  in  plenteous  pasture  fed, 
H-igh  parnper'd,  fatten'd,  and  to  -slaughter  led, 
Drives  at  his  keeper,  raves  and  roars  aloud, 
And  paws  defiance  to  the  gath'ring  crow'd. 

28  "  His  fears  and  wants  the  fugitive  compel, 
In  cities  desolate  and  drear,  lo  dwell  : 
Where  .ruin'd  heaps,  a  sordid  shelter  form, 
A  dang'rous  covert  from  the  driving  storm. 

29  His  riches  flown,  he  never  shall  regain, 

To  shame,  his  glory's  turn'cl  ;  his  ease,  to  pain  > 
His  sun  is  set,  alas  I  no  more  to  rise, 

30  The  morning  beams  no  more  salute  his  eyes  ; 
By  light'nings  scorch'd,  his  branches  all  decay, 
By  whirlwinds  rent,  the  trunk  is  torn  away. 

(25)  Mai.  Hi.  13.  •  (26)  Rev.  xvii.  14. 

(27)  Psalm  xvii.  10.  (29)  1  Tim.  \\.  9, 

(30)  2  Thess.  ii.  8.  and  Rev.  xix.  15. 

c; 


74  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

31  "  From  these  sad  facts,  the  truth  let  all  discern, 

And  by  example  warn'd,  this  lesson  learn. 

Let  the  deceiv'd,  no  longer  feed  on  air, 

For  vain  his  trust,  his  hope  the  spider's  snare  ; 

32  Short  is  his  race — his  sun  goes  down  at  noon, 
His  wealth  and  honors  blasted  are  as  soon  ; 

S3  His  hopes  and  joys  all  wither  and  decline, 

And  drop  like   grapes  untimely  from  the  vine." 

34  Thus  hypocrites  shall  meet  their  fearful  doom, 
And  fire,  the  tents  of  bribery,  consume  ; 

35  Their  schemes  of  mischief,  with  deception  fraught, 
And  all  their  works  of  darkness,  come  to  nought. 


JOB 

XVI.      This  tale  I've  heard,  repeated  o'er,  and  o'er  ; 
Convinc'cl,  indeed,  of  folly,  more  and  more- 


Of  what  convinc'd,  were  all  your  speeches  true  ? 
That  I'm  but  mock'd,  not  comforted  by  you. 
3  How  long  shall  such  vain  words  my  ears  offend  ? 
Shall  trash  and  nonsense  never  have  an  end  ? 
Whence  hast  thou  confidence  to  speak  ?  and  why, 
Tho'  oft  refuted,  dost  as  oft  reply  ? 
Why  not  asham'd  with  angry  warmth,  to  press 
A  worn  out  subject,  in  a  thread-bare  dress  ? 
And  v,-hile  to  argument  thou  mak'st  pretence, 
Deal  jests  for  reasons,  wit  for  solid  sense  ? 

(31)  Prov.  xi.  4. 

(32)  Prov.  xiii.  19. 

(33)  1  Kings  xxi.  21. 

(35)  Esth.  iii.  9, 10,  and  vii.  9, 10, 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  75 

4  Unfeeling  men,  ungen'rous  as  unjust, 

In  doubtful  case,  to  implicate  the  worst — 
When  friendship  calls,  and  tender  pity  pleads, 
Tc  stop  your  ears,  and  rush  where  censure  leads. 
If  once  your  soul  were  in  my  wretched  stead, 
I  too,  as  well  might  laugh  and  shake  my  head  ; 
My  visage  lengthen,  in  contemptuous  view, 
And  cry  out,  hyfiocrite,  as  well  as  you  ; 
Pour  forth  invectives,  with  unbridled  tongue, 
And  rail  and  rant,  like  you,  or  right  or  wrong. 
Would  this  be  candid,  catholic  ? — I  ask — 
No— downright  bigotry  without  a  mask. 
'Tis  base,  to  cause  a  fallen  foe  to  bleed — 
A  suff'ring  friend  to  pierce,  is  vile  indeed. 
Of  all  hypocrisy,  I  most  detest 
A  simp'ring  visage,  and  a  rankling  breast, 
Where  storms  and  sunshine,  light  and  darkness  meet, 
And  stabs  and  kisses,  in  succession  greet. 

5  Could  I  thus  act — thus  treat  my  friend,  or  foe, 
With  your  unfeeling,  barb'rous  harshness  ? — No— - 
My  heart  would  bleed,  with  sympathetic  grief, 
My  eyes  vent  pity,  and  my  hands  relief ; 

With  heav'nly  comfort,  would  I  cheer  his  soul, 
Bind  up  his  wounds,  and  make  the  broken,  whole. 

6  In  state,  far  worse  than  solitude,  I'm  plac'd, 
By  friends  unpided,  and  by  foes  clisgrac'd  ; 
Speaking,  or  silent,  am  alike  uneas'd, 

In  speech  derided,  and  in  silence  teaz'cl. . 

(4)  1  Cor.  iv.  13.  and  1  Peter  iii.  9. 

(5)  2  Cor.  i.  4.    Gal.  vi.  1. 


»  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

7  With  long  fatigue  distress'cl,  God's  angry  frovas, 
Beneath  my  heavy  load,  hath  crush'd  me  down, 
My  frame  dissolv'd,  my  falt'ring  limbs  decay'd, 
Present  the  spectre  of  a  speaking  shade. 

8  Leanness  and  wrinkles,  on  my  form  impress'd, 
To  me,  my  grief  ;  to  you,  my  guilt  attest. 

9  Like  rav'ning  wolves,  my  foes,  in  fierce  affray, 
Tear  me  in  pieces,  for  their  ev'ning  prey  ; 
Their  glowing  eye  balls  watching  all  my  path, 

10  Their  gnashing  teeth  denouncingwounds  and  death  ; 
In  crowds  assembling,  to  destroy  my  fame, 

My  face  they  buffet,  and  reproach  my  name. 

11  In  all  my  woes,  the  hand  of  God,  I  own, 
The  wise  and  holy  counsels  of  his  throne  ; 
His  sword  the  wicked  are — to  them  I'm  left, 
And  of  his  kind  protecting  care  bereft. 

12  Once  I  had  ease,  once  health  and  peace  enjoy 'd, 
But  now,  alas  !  I'm  broken  and  destroy'd. 

His  eye  consigns  me  to  vindictive  wrath, 

His  mighty  hand  hath  crush'd  me  down  to  death. 

13  Assaulting  archers,  aiming  at  my  heart, 
Beset  me  round,  and  point  their  fatal  dart  ;— - 
As  executioners  of  wrath  divine, 

Ails,  ulcers,  friends,  foes,  devils,  all  combine  ; 
While  nameless  tortures,  morbid  cholic  pains 
Tear  out  my  bowels,  and  disjoint  my  reins. 

14  With  wounds  on  wounds,  he  breaks  my  feeble  form. 
As  the  fierce  giant  stamps  the  crawling  worm. 

15  Grief  is  my  food,  with  pain  I  draw  my  breath, 
Sicken  at  life,  and  wish  the  hour  of  death. 

(7)  Psalm  Ixxxviii.  15. 

(8)  Prov.  xvii.  22.  (9)  Lam.  iii.  16. 
(11)  John  xix.  11.                   (15)  Psalm  vii.  6. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE,  7 

My  skin,  with  gloomy  sackcloth  I've  o'erspread, 
In  dust  and  ashes  have  defil'd  my  head, 

16  Furrow'd  my  face,  and  streak'd  with  briny  tears, 
While  o'er  my  eyelids,  death's  dark  shade  appears. 

17  Not  for  injustice  to  my  fellow-men, 

From  violence  and  crimes,  my  hands  are  clean  ; 

Nor  for  impiety,  these  ills  I  bear, 

My  God  I  worship,  and  sincere  my  pray'r. 

18  O  Earth,  thou  parent  of  my  mortal  part, 
Who,  in  thy  bosom,  fold'st  the  clay-cold  heart, 
If  stain'd  with  crimes,  the  hypocrite  am  I, 
Drink  not  my  blood,  my  corpse  a  grave  deny, 
And  Earth  and  Heav'n  shut  out  my  suppliant  cry. 

19  But  God  my  witness  is,  who  dwells  above, 
Whose  eyes  are  holy,  and  whose  name  is  LOVE  ; 

(Verse  19.)  Also  noiu  bshold  my  witness  is  in  Heaven,  and  my 
record  is  on  high. 

The  omniscience  of  Jehovah,  which  may  well  fill  the  mind  of 
every  impenitent  sinner,  with  horror  and  dread,  is,  and  ever  has 
been,  a  consideration  of  unspeakable  comfort  and  support  to  the 
people  of  God,  under  all  their  afflictions  and  trials — the  buffeting 
of  Satan,  and  the  cruel  mockings  of  wicked  men.  God  hath 
been  the  dwelling  place  of  his  people  in  all  generations,  and  his 
name  is  a  strong  tower  into  which  the  righteous  flee,  and  are  safe. 
Peter  must  have  sunk  down  in  utter  despondency,  had  he  not 
known  that  his  Lord  and  Master  was  the  searcher  of  hearts  ;  and 
have  never  dared  to  make  that  solemn  appeal,  "Lord,  thou 
knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee."  And  this 
was  the  sure  and  stedfast  anchor  of  Job.  Notwithstanding  all 
outward  appearances,  and  the  severe  aspersions  of  his  unfeeling 
friends  j  conscious  of  the  integrity  of  his  heart,  and  the  oranis- 
'(16)  Psalm  xlii.  3. 

(18)  Gen.  iv.  10. 

(19)  Rom.  i.  9. 

G2 


78  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

To  Him  I  durst,  with  confidence,  appeal, 
HE  knows  my  ways,  and  will -my  heart  reveal. 

20  Unpitying  friends  behold  me  sunk,  forlorn, 

My  griefs  deride,  and  treat  my  cries  with  scorn  ; 
I  weep  in  secret,  silent  pour  my  flood 
Of  tears,  into  the  bosom  of  my  God. 

21  Oh,  that  I  might  approach  my  Maker's  face, 
And  at  his  footstool  plead  my  injur'cl  case  ; 
For  his  decision,  boldly  intercede, 

As  man  for  man  ;  when  varying  neighbors  plead. 
,    22       *  (So  shall   it  be — I  soon  shall  cease  to  mourn  ; 
Soon,  go  the  way,  from  whence  no  more  return  ; 
Soon  meet  rny  God,  my  righteous  Judge  in  peace, 
My  sins  be  cancell'd,  and  my  sorrows  cease. 

cience  of  his  God  ;  he  could  say,  "  My  witness  is  in  heaven,  and 
my  record  is  on  high,"  Though  my  friends  revile  me  as  a  hypo 
crite,  yet  there  is  one  who  knows  my  heart,  and  to  him  I  confi 
dently  appeal.  Thrice  happy  every  one,  who  can  appropriate 
this  language  to  himself,  and  whose  heart  is  prepared  to  be  happy 
in  the  presence  of  a  holy  God. 

*  The  divisions  of  the  Bible  into  chapters  is  a  convenient  and 
necessary  arrangement — but  it  was  not  originally  made  by  the 
inspired  penmen.  These  divisions  are  in  many  instances  arbitra 
ry — in  some  it  is  thought  injudicious — certainly  it  is  to  be  regret 
ted,  that  they  ara  in  any  instance,  so  made,  as  is  calculated  to  ob 
scure  the  sense.  This  observation  is  particularly  applied  to  the 
16th  and  17th  chapters  of  Job.  The  last  verse  of  the  former, 
and  the  first  verse,  of  the  latter,  form  a  parenthesis,  or  interjected 
apostrophe  ;  so  that  the  second  verse  of  the  latter  chapter,  is 
immediately  connected,  in  sense,  with  the  21st  verse  of  the  for 
mer.  The  obscurity,  occasioned  by  the  parenthesis  unrecognized, 
is  still  increased  by  this  unnatural  division  of  the  chapters. 

(20)  Psalm  cxix.  28.    •'  (21)  1  John  ii.  1,  2. 

(22)  Ecd?  xii.  5. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUp.  79 

XVII.     Clos'cl  is  the  scene — corrupt  my  panting  breath  ; 
My  soul  just  launching  from  the  U^d  of  death. 
My  days  are  finish'd,  and  my  glass  is  run, 
My  grave  is  waiting,  and  my  work  is  done.) 

2  For  here,  .my  judges,  my  accusers  are  ; 
A  band  of  mockers,  partial  and  unfair, 

Who  practise  falsehood,  while  they  talk  of  right, 
And  to  my  face,  insult  me,  day  and  night. 
Such  jurisdiction,  know,  that  I  disown, 
And  lay  my  cause  before  God's  righteous  throne. 

3  Stake,  Eliphaz,  thy  pledge — say,  wlio  shall  be 
A  mutual    surety   for  thyself  and  me  ? 
What  upright  man  engage,  with  solemn  oath, 
The  cause  to  plead  as  advocate  fur  both  ? 
Who'll  give  his  hand,  and  pledge  himself  as  bail 
To  bind  the  parties,  lest  the  judgment  fail  ? 

4  To  this  high  honor,  thou  aspir'st  in  vain, 
Nor  thee,  nor  thy  companions,  I'll  retain  ; 

(Verse  3.)  Lay  down  now,  put  one  In  a  surety  fvith  thee — 
That  is — appoint  some  one,  some  proper  person,  who  (ta 
speak  in  the  language  of  modern  jurisprudence)  will  give  bonds 
for  prosecution — or  recognize  as  special  bail,  in  a  penal  sum,  that 
the  parties  abide  the  final  judgment. — Who  is  he  that -will  strike 
hands  -with  me  ?  This,  it  seems,  was  the  custom,  among  the  an 
cients,  of  recognizing,  or  entering  in  bail — viz-  by  the  surety  and 
the  principal  of  the  opposite  party  striking  the  palms  of  their 
hands  together.  This  appears  from  Proverbs  vi.  1.  and  xvii.  18. 
"  My  son,  if  thou  be  surety  for  thy  friend  ;  if  thou  hast  stricken. 
toy  band  -with  a  stranger,"  &c. — "  A  man  void  of  understanding 
striketb  hands,  an4  becometflftrety  jn  the  presence  of  his  friends." 

(Chap.  xvii.  1.)     Psalm  Ixxxviii.  4.  and  2  Tim.  iv.  6. 

(2)  1  Sam.i.  7  . 

(4)  Matt.  xi.  25.  and  xiii.  11, 


80  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

So  selfish,  proud  and  arrogant  thou  art, 
Void  of  discernment,  and  deprav'd  in  heart, 
Impartial  justice  will  reject  thy  claim, 
And  blast  thy  honor  in  deserved  shame. 

5  Plainly  I  speak,  and  from  an  honest  heart,. 
Nor  rashly  judge,  nor  act  the  treach'rous  part  ;— . 
Who  soothes  and  flatters  whom  he  ought  to  blami 
Wounds  his  own  conscience,  and  destroys  his  fume 
By  friends  despis'd,  defeated  of  his  end, 

His  wicked  arts  the  righteous  God  offend  ; 
To  his  lorn  race,  the  mischief  shall  redound, 
And  ills  unnumber'd  to  his  sons  abound. 

6  Alas  !  what  changes  follow  ease  and  health  ! 
How  small  is  greatness,  and  how  poor  is  wealth  1 

(Verse  5.)  He  that  speaketb  Jlattery  to  bis  friends,  even  the  eye. 
of  his  children  shall  fail. 

It  seems,  that  that  established  rule  of  the  divine  government, 
expressed  in  the  second  Commandment,  visiting  the  iniquities  o, 
the  fathers  upon  the  children,  \vasknown  and  recognized  by  th< 
ancient  saints,  long  before  God  published  his  moral  law  frorr 
Sinai.  This  is  upon  the  hypothesis,  that  Job  was  contemporary 
with  the  patriarchs,  which  is  the  generally  received  opinion 
This  knowledge  might  be  derived  to  them  from  early  divin< 
communications  handed  down — or  by  seeing  the  rule  carried  intc 
effect  by  sensible  fruits  ;  especially  in  the  memorable  instance  'o 
Adam  the  first  sinner — or  through  the  medium  of  both.  At  al 
events,  this  circumstance  tends  to  shew,  that  the  duties  of  th< 
moral  law,  and  the  principles  upon  which  the  divine  govemmen 
is  administered,  are  founded  in  the  nature  of  things,  and  the  im 
mutable  standard  of  eternal  Justicjfc-that,  as  far  as  they  are  dis 
cerned,  they  commend  themselvrc  to  natural  reason  ;  and  n< 
less  to  the  heart,  than  the  conscience  of  every  good  man. 

(5)  1  Kings  xxi.  29.     Psalm  lii.  4. 

(6)  2  Sam.  xyi.  10, 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  31 

Till  late,  belov'd,  caress'd,  and  serv'd  with  awe, 
My  words  were  music,  and  my  sentence,  law  ; 

<  I'm  now  the  mock'ry  of  the  hissing  throng, 
A  taunting  by-word,  on  the  vulgar  tongue. 

7  Tears  are  my  pastime,  grief,  my  constant  trade, 
Bedim'd  my  eyes,  my  form  a  shrivel'd  shade. 

t     The  wond'ring  saints,  my  course  of  life  who  knew. 
Shall  this  dark  myst'ry  with  amazement  view  ; 
Why  God  should  thus,  the  righteous  man  chastise, 
Whelming  the  saint  in  sufferings,  tears  and  sighs  ; 
While  on  the  counsels  of  the  wick^J  shine, 
With  food  and  gladness,  cheerful  bread  and  wine. 
The  sinner's  obloquy,  severe  as  death, 
But  swells  this  trial  of  the  good  man's  faith. 
He'll  rouse,  he'll  wrestle,  climb  the  rugged  road, 
Till  faith  shall  triumph,  in  the  light  of  God. 

9  This  blessed  vict'ry,  every  soul  shall  win, 

Whose  heart  is  pure,  whose  hands  unstain'dwith  sin ; 

(Verse  9.)  1'he  righteous  shall  bold  on  their  way,  and  be  that  hatb 
clean  bands  shall  wax  stronger  and  stronger. 

This  short  Chapter  is  truly  a  rich  one,  as  it  contains  much  im 
portant  gospel  instruction.  Here,  Job  explicitly  declares  his 
knowledge  of,  and  belief  in  the  great  gospel  doctrine  of  the 
Saints'  Perseverance  ;  and  this  too,  as  the  firm  and  stable  ground 
of  his  hope  and  trust  in  God.  It  appears  pretty  evident,  upon 
reflection,  whence  he  derived  the  knowledge  of  this  doctrine. 
Job  and  his  three  friends,  as  we  all  suppose,  were  descendants 
from  Abraham — Eliphaz,  at  no  further  remove  than  the  fourth" 
degree,  or  great,  great  grandson.  Abraham  is  celebrated  for 
his  parental  faithfulness  invk  religious  instruction  of  his  chil 
dren  and  family— --See  Gen.  xviii  19.  He  taught  his  children, 
and  they  theirs,  the  "covenant  God  had  made  with  him,  the  gra- 

(7)  Psalm vi.  7-  and  xxxi.  10. 

(8)  Rom.  xi,  33.  and  Acts  xiii.  46. 


82  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

With  growing  strength,  the  heav'nly  road  shall  run> 
And  cov'nant  mercy  lead  him  safely  on. 

10  Come  then,  from  pride  and  prejudice  set  free^ 
(For  not  one  man  of  wisdom  do  I  see) 

Ope  your  blind  eyes,  to  sacred  truth  assent, 
Retract  your  errors,  and  youi^sins  lament ; 
This  truth  receive,  here  rest  your  hopes,  alone 
On  this  sure  doctrine,  as  the  corner  stone. 

1 1  For  your  advantage  only,  this  is  ask'd 
Myself  unheeded,  for  my  days  are  past  ; 
My  earthlJF hopes,  my  fondest  wishes  o'er 
And  all  my  pleasing  prospects,  now  no  more. 

12  My  painful  watchings  change,  to  day,  the  night, 
And  swiftly  flies,  the  dawn  of  morning  light  ; 
Both  clay  and  night,  alike  of  comfort  void, 

For  ever  fled  the  good,  I  once  enjoy'd. 

1 3  What,  tho'  my  Maker,  in  his  sov'reign  ways, 
Should  lengthen  out  the  remnant  of  my  days  ? 
To  me,  these  joys  of  earth  and  sense  are  small, 
These  joys  I've  tasted mis'ry  are  they  all. 

cious  promise  of  -which  was,  "  I  will  be  a  God  to  thee  and  to  thy 
seed."  In  this  comprehensive  blessing,  every  subordinate  good 
is  virtually  promised  ;  and  most  evidently,  that  of  persevering 
grace.  This  too,  is  the  uniform  language  of  the  Scriptures, 
both  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament.  How  wonderful  is  their 
harmony,  though  written  by  different  men,  in  different  and  distant 
ages  of  the  world  !  They  all  breathe  the  same  spirit — in  every 
part,  they  teach  the  same  doctrines,  and  inculcate  the  same  duties 
— not  a  discordant  note  is  found  through  the  whole.  The  Re 
ligion  it  teaches,  is  the  same,  fron^Bne  beginning  to  the  end  of 
the  world,  and,  like  its  Divine  Author,  immutable  and  eternal. 

(10)   1  Cor.  vi.  5. 

(12)  Deut.  xxviii.  67. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  83 

The  dream  is  o'er,  nor  life  has  charms  to  rouse, 
My  bed  is  darkness,  and  the  grave  my  house  ;— . 
*  Death  is  the  only  lesson  I've  to  learn, 
My  first,  my  greatest  and  my  last  concern. 

14  From  life  divorc'd,  to  death  so  near  ally'd, 
Nor  friends,  nor  kindred  here,  I  claim  beside  ; 
Parent  corruption,  welcome  to  my  heart, 
Thou  gnawing  worm,  my  mother,  sister  art. 

1 5  How   stands  my  earthly   hope  then  ?  where  its 

rock  ? — 

Where  all  that  good,  of  which  you  fondly  spoke  ? 
Who'll  live  to  taste  those  fancied,  pi'omis'd  joys  ? 
Who  reap  the  harvest  of  your  golden  toys  ? 

1 6  Or  who,  the  scene  behold  ?  or  you  ?  or  I  ? 
Awake  from  dreaming,  and  prepare  to  die. 

'  All  earthly  hopes  shall  perish  in  the  grave, 
Where  soon,  we  must  our  lasting  portion  have. 


BILDAD. 

XVIII.    Why,  patient  friends,  this  vain  discourse  extend 
And,  Job,  how  long  Avilt  thou  thy  cause  defend  ? 
Thy  rhetoric,  (though  just  about  to  die) 
Flows,  like  a  river  that  will  never  dry  ; 
So  bright  the  genius  of  thy  teeming  head, 
Thou  say'st  the  most,  where  least  is  to  be  said. 
Now  check' thy  ravings,  for  a  moment,  pause, 
Nor  mischiefs  fearj»rit  will  not  harm  thy  cause  ; 
In  condescension  to  the  standers-by, 
Grant  time  and  licence  for  a  brief  reply. 

(15)  Psalm  xxxLx.  7. 


S4  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

5       Why  are  we  view'cl  by  thee,  now  deign  to  say, 
As  grazing  cattle,  or  as  beasts  of  prey  ? 
It  would  be  hard,  if  ev'n  just  the  case, 
For  men  of  sense,  to  take  so  low  a  place  ; 
And  harder  still,  to  ev'  ry  gen'rous  mind, 
For  just  reproof,  to  meet  returns  unkind. 

4  His  anger  rises,  like  the  foaming  waves, 
And  talking  longer,  still  the  louder  raves  ; 
His  malice  such,  so  blind  and  void  of  bounds 
He  smites  at  others,  and  himself  but  wounds. 

Shall  vice  be  virtue,  virtue  vice,  for  thee  ? 
The  righteous  God  reverse  his  fixt  decree  ; 
For  thy  dear  sake,  thy  precious  smiles  to  win, 
His  claims  resign,  and  bid  rewards  for  sin  ? 
Is  such  thy  magic  worth,  and  thine  alone, 
The  race  must  die,  at  thy  expiring  groan  ; 
Old  Nature's  wheels  in  retrogression  turn, 
The  mountains  leap,  rocks  fly,  and  oceans  burn  ? 

5  Know  this,  vain  man,  thy  splendor,  wealth  and  pow'r, 
Like  sparks,  shall  vanish,  and  be  seen  no  more  ; 
The  light  of  life  extinguish'd,  cease  to  shine, 

For,  such  the  sinner's  doom,  and  such  is — thine. 

6  Distress  and  darkness  shall  afflict  his  heart, 
And  light  and  comfort  from  his  house  depart ; 

7  Dangers  beset  his  straiten'd  path  around, 
And  his  own  counsel  cast  him  to  the  ground. 

8  With  tho'ts  perplex'd,  and  words  confus'd  he  talks. 
On  slipp'ry   ground,  and  hidden  snares  he  walks, 

(3)  Psalm  Ixxiii.  22.  (5)1»rov.  xiii.  9.  and  xx,  20. 

(6)  Rev.  xviii.  23.  (7)  Esth.  Hi.  9, 

(8)  Prov.  v.  22,  and  xxix.  6. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  §5 

9,10  Pit-falls  and  traps,  his  devious  course  await, 
And  hungry  robbers  plunder  his  estate. 

1 1  Terrors,  on  ev'ry  hand,  with  wild  affright. 
Now  here,  now  there,  impel  his  anxious  flight. 

12  Hunger  and  pining  want  his  strength  devour, 
And  at  his  side,  see  dark  destruction  low'r. 

13  Dire  blains  eruptive,  his  fair  form  destroy, 
And  living  death  blasts  ev'ry  rising  joy. 

(Verse  13.)     It  shall  devour  the  strength   of  his  skin,  even  the 
first  bornof  death' shall  devour  his  sti'er.gtb. 

This  verse  is  a  pure  Hebraism,  and  in  the  strong,  nervous  style 
of  the  East.  It  is  indeed  so  highly  figurative,  as  to  be  obscure  i 
as  a  sudden,  intense  blaze  of  light  overpowers,  and  darkens  the  ; 
sight  of  the  eye.  It  is  very  difficult,  if  not  wholly  impossible,  to 
give  it  an  explanatory  dilation  in  the  paraphrase,  and  not  dimin 
ish  iis  force  and  beauty. — "  It  shall  devour  the  strength  of  his 
skin."  The  antecedent  must  be  the  general  term  i-estrn  tion,  ir: 
the  preceding  verse — and  the  sense  of  the  passage  is  differently 
explained  by  Commentators.  According  to  some,  it  signifies  a 
cutaneous  eruption  of  boils  and  blains,  overspeading  the  whole 
surface  of  his  body  ;  and  thus  artfully  pointing  at  Job.  CASTA- 
no  will  have  it  to  mean  the  nerves  and  veins,  tendons,  and  li 
gaments  of  the  skin,  by  which  the  limbs  are  sustained,  and  bound 
together. — MERCERUS,  the  arteries,  which  extend  themselves 
to  all  the  extremities,  in  the  resemblance  of  a  tree,  lessening  from 
the  trunk  upward.-,,  and  spreading  out  into  limbs,  branches  and 
innumerable  small  twigs.  SCULTETUS,  that  it  means  his  soii^ 
\vho  proceed  from  the  parent,  as  the  limbs  from  the  tree,  and 
constitute  his  strength. — GROTIUS,  tLat  it  •means  Ms 'arm  A  as 
they  are  the  principal  media  of  strength,  and  bodily  exertion'. — 
The  version  of  JUNIUS  and  TREMET..LIUS,  and  PISCATOR,  that 
it  means  Ins  bor.es,  by  which  his  r.'hoie  frame  is  supports 

(10)  2  Peter  ii.  12. 
(12)  Psalm  vii.  12. 

II 


S6  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

14  His  children  gone,  and  fled  each  fond  desire, 
His  hope,  his  confidence,  and  life  expire. 

1 6  Just  as  the  fig-tree  casts  its  unripe  fruit, 

When  bark'd,  and  hewn,  and  blighted  at  the  root  ; 
Fall  the  dry  leaves,  the  withering  limbs  decay, 
And  whirlwinds  drive  the  sapless  trunk  away. 

17  He  dies  forgotten,  no  one  bears  his  name, 
For  ever  lost  Ids  mem'ry,  wealth  and  fame  : 

strengthened,  and  hence  called  the  strength  of  his  skin.  The  con 
struction,  first  mentioned,  is  adopted  in  the  paraphrase,  as  being 
the  most  natural  and  obvious  — By  the  destruction,  mentioned,  is 
undoubtedly  meant  an  extraordinary  kind  of  death  ;  and  the 
same  thing  as  is  intended  by  \hejirst  born  of  death  This  expres 
sion  is  according  to  the  Hebrew  idiom.  It  is  thought  to  mean  a 
death,  sudden,  premature,  uncommon,  violent,  and  most  horrible 
to  nature — such  as  was  sent,  in  awful  judgment  upon  Herod,  for 
his  impiety  when  "  the  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  him,  and, 
he  was  eaten  of  worms  and  gave  up  the  Ghost "  Acts  xii.  23. 
The  Hebrews  were  wont  to  use  the  phrase  frst  born,  figuratively 
to  express  any  particular  quality  in  the  superlative  degree,  or 
the  highest  of  its  kind — because  peculiar  honor,  dignity,  and  a 
double  portion  attached  to,  and  were  the  rights  of  primogeniture. 
As  in  Isaiah  xiv.  30.  "  And  the^/Sm  born  of  the  poor  shall  feed, 
&c."  that  is,  those  extremely  poor  and  indigent.  In  a  sense, 
analogous  to  this  is,  it  is  thought,  that  the  expression,  first  born  of 
death,  is  used  in  this  passage. 

(Verse  14.)  His  confidence  shall  be  rooted  out  <fhis  tabernacle, 
Tiiis  phrase  is  thought  to  mean  the  death  of  his  children  ;  and 
to  be  another  stab  at  the  feelings  of  Job. — In  those  patriarchal 
days  especially,  a  man's  strength  and  greatness,  consisted  very 
much,  in  the  number  of  his  children — hence,  they  were  with 
them  the  objects  of  very  great  desire  and  confidence — witness  the 
feelings  of  Rachel,  Gen.xxx.  1.  "  Give  me  children,  or  else  Idle." 

(14)  Heb.  ii.  15.  (16)  Psalm  xxxvii.  35. 

(17)  Prov.  x.  7. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  87 

1 5  The  curse  of  God  his  fated  house  pursues, 
And  Sodom's  plagues,  almighty  wrath  renews  ; 

18  From  light  and  life,  by  th'  angry  blast  of  Heav'n 
He's  s\vept  to  darknes's,  and  from,  earth  is  driv'n. 

19  Nor  son,  nor  nephew  in  his  house  remain, 
His  death  to  mourn,  or  lead  his  fun'ral  train. 

20  Spectators  frighted,  view  his  awful  fate, 
And  to  their  wond'ring  sons  the  tale  relate. 

2 1  Here  see  the  wicked— such  his  curst   abode, 
And  such  the  lot  of  all  who  hate  their  God. 


JOB. 

XIX.       No  further  taunt — I  understand  thee  well ; 

The  picture's  plain — its  name  thou  need'st  not  tell, 

Deceitful  reas'ning,  prostituted  wit, 

Blown  up  by  pride,  at  torch  of  malice  lit. 

To  add  affliction  to  th'  afflicted's  state, 

And  crush  the  burden'd,  with  increasing  weight, 

Is  all  your  aim — for,  comfort  there  is  none, 

Nor  light  nor  truth,  in  all  you've  said,  or  done. 

How  long  will  ye  this  cruel  war  protract, 
With  bitter  words,  my  bursting  heart  distract  ; 
A  tortur'd  friend,  with  heavier  torture  wound, 
And  pierce  the  helpless,  prostrate  on  the  ground  ? 
3  Your  fierce  reproach,  vindictive  and  severe, 
Ten  times  repeated,  I'm  still  forc'd  to  hear. 

(15)  Isaiah  xiii.   19.  (18)  Luke  xii.  20. 

(19)  Jer.xxii.  30.  (21)  SThess.  i.  8.  and  Tit.  i.  16. 

(2)  1  Sam.  i. 6.  (3)  2  Peter  ii.  8.  aiid_Ps.  xiii.  10. 


J8  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Nor  rest  you  here,  but  with  unblushing  face> 
Lavish  your  satire,  puns,  and  low  disgrace. 
Am  I  an  object  to  employ  your  spleen, 
And  point  your  weapons  with  an  edge  so  keen  ? 
Is  this  your  kindness  to  a  friend  forlorn  ? 
Is  wisdom,  wit  ?  is  tender  pity,  scorn  ? 

4  The  case  revieM' — now  let  it  be  agreed, 
As  great  my  errors,  as  you  warmly  plead  ; 
On  me  alone  the  punishment  descends, 
With  me  the  mischief  rests,  with  me  it  ends— 
'Tis  lighter  too,  than  your  reproaches  are  ; 
Since  then,  you  aid  not— leave  me  to  despair, 

5  It  should  content  a  feeble,  dying  man, 
His  friend  to  teach  and  comfort,  if  he  can — 
Why  should  you  strike^  my  mis'ry  to  complete* 
Why  raise  yourselves  into  the  judgment  seat, 
Usurp  the  high  prerogative  of  God, 

And  hurl  his  thunderbolts  of  wrath  abroad  ? 

If  this  the  object  be,  you  strive  to  gain, 
My  grief  to  swell,  and  then  enjoy  my  pain  ; 
Mis'ry  enough,  you  here  may  surely  find, 
To  sate  the  cravings  of  your  vengeful  mind, 
o  I  grant,  as  gen'ral  truth,  what  you've  express'd, 
And  what  to  lleav'n  and  you,  I've  oft  confess'd  ; 
(Jod  is  my  Judge — his  heavy  rod  corrects^ 
Ills  chant*  ning  hand  my  ev'ry  ill  in/lids. 
Yes,  flaming-  Eiklad,  know,  in  this  thou'rt  right, 
.And  words  of  truth  hast  spoken,  though  in  spite. 
Clo-:l  h:  s  o\n-',hrown,  or.d  cast  me  in  the  pit, 
My  Btfalten'c!  st.rps  cncompasb'cS  in  lii- 

rt.  1.  Pcnhu  sxsviii.  16.  uivA  2  Cor  ihC 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  *9 

7  I  ask  for  justice  to  assuage  my  pain, 

Cry  out  of  wrong,  and  seek  redress,  in  vain — 
Fruitless  my  suit,  unheard  my  loudest  cries, 
Forlorn  my  state,  nor  help,  nor  hopes  arise. 

8  His  awful  hand  has  hedg'd  my  mazy  path, 
Emvrapt  in  darkness,  and  the  shades  of  death  : 

9  My  children  slain,  my  pow'r  and  riches  curst, 
My  crown  of  glory  trampled  in  the  dust. 

10  By  ev'ry  ill,  on  ev'ry  side  destroy 'd, 

I  sink,  I  perish,  and  my  hopes  are  void. 
Yes,  gone  my  life  and  hope,  like  blasted  tree, 
To  which  thou  justly  didst  resemble  me. 

11  His  kindling  wrath,  with  flaming  fury  glows, 
Nor  me  excepts  from  his  determin'd  foes. 

12  His  troops  of  robbers,  for  destruction  sent, 
My  path  invade,  and  pitch  around  my  tent. 

13  The  tender  ties  of  blood,  no  longer  known, 
My  friends  and  kindred  are  to  strangers  grown  ; 

14  Fled,  like  a  vapor,  warm  affection  ends, 
I  live  forgotten  by  familiar  friends. 

15  Menials  and  maids,  once  ruled  vdth  a  glance, 
View  me  a  stranger  now,  with  eyes  askance. 

16  I  call'd  my  servant,  as  he  passed  by, 

He  held  his  course  and  gave  me  no  reply—. 

17  More  abject  still,  I'm  odious  to  my  wife, 
The  dear  companion  of  my  mortal  life, 

(Verse  9.)   He  hath  stripped  me  of  my  glory This  is  thought 

to  mean  the  death  of  his  children  ;   for  reasons  given  in  the  last] 
note. 

(7)  Jer.  xx.  8.  _  (11)  Heb.  xii.  7. 

(9)  Job  i.  19. 

(12)  Psalm  xxxiv.  19.  (13)  Psalm  Ixxxviii.  18. 

(14)  Micah  vii.  5.  (16)  Titus  ii.  9,  1''. 

H  2 


£0  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Her  heart,  v;ith  tears,  in  vain  I  sought  to  move, 
By  all  the  pledges  of  our  mutual  love. 

18  In  feats  of  slander,  old  and  young  engage, 
Fools  learn  to  hiss,  and  hoots  the  hoary  sage  ; 

19  And  you,  once  bosom  friends — Oh,  how  forlorn  ! 
My  warmest  love,  with  cruel  hate  return. 

20  With  grief  consum'd,  I'm  left  but  skin  and  bone, 
Eir.Uem  of  death — a  walking  skeleton. 

2 1  What  shall  I  say,  your  harden'cl  hearts  to  melt  ? 
Or  how  regt.in  the  friendship,  once  you  felt  ? 

(Verse  21.)     Have  pity  upon  me,  ike. 

This  is,  truly,  a  master  stroke  of  the  pathetic.  While  good 
taste,  good  sense,  or  humanity  remains,  this  must  be  viewed,  as 
the  model,  and  standard  of  fine  writing,  and  fine  feeling.  Here 
is  no  art  used,  it  is  all  nature  ;  and  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  the 
nicest  art  to  produce  the  sameeffect.  The  transition  is  so  sudden, 
so  unexpected,  and  yet  so  natural  and  striking,  that  it  irresisti 
bly  bears  us  away,  and  before  we  are  aware,  the  tears  of  sensi 
bility  are  streaming  down  our  cheeks.  Viewing  the  hand  and 
Egency  of  God  in  all  the  circumstances  of  his  afflicted  and  de 
graded  s'ate  ; — all  the  instrumentality  of  creatures  and  second 
causes,  disappears — he  forgets  all  the  unkind  treatment  of  his 
friends,  and,  in  the  remembrance  of  former  endearments,  gives 
scope  to  his  warm  emotions,  in  a  sudden  burst  of  tenderness  and 
tjndissembled  friendship — "  Have  pity  upon  me,  have  pity  upon 
me,  G  ye  rny  friends,  for  the  band  of  God  hath  touched  me." — 
It  is  no  longer  the  language  of ,  complaint.  He  forgets  their 
wrongs,  and  had  no  disposition  to  reproach.  .He  entreats  their 
ccrnniiscraticn,  with  a  confidence  in  their  tenderness,  and  the 
justice  of  his  claim.  The  very  repetition  adds  to  its  lustre,  and 
gives  it  more  than  double  force  of  persuasion.  Here  we  seethe 
•unadorned  siirplicity  of  Nature — here,  the  unmingled  feelings  of 
(IS)  2  Kings  ii.  23.  (19)  Psalm  xli.  9. 

f20)  Psulm  cii.  5.  (21)  Col.  iii.  12.  and  Heb.  xiii.  3. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  91 

O  ye  my  friends  !  a  name  so  lov'd,  so  dear, 
Pay  to  my  griefs,  the  tribute  of  a — tear  ; 
Flow  your  dry  eyes,  your  hearts  with  pity  bleed, 
The  hand  of  God  hath  touched  me  indeed  ! 
22  With  dying  groans  your  pity  I  conjure  ; 
It  is  enough,  almighty  wrath  t'  endure  ; 
Will  ye  not  rest  contented  with  my  blood, 
But  minister  the,  vengeance  of  a  God  ? 
My  fleshly  pains  no  mortal  tongue  can  tell, — 
Will  ye  now  judge  me  to  the  pains  of  hell  ? 
23,  4  Oh,  that  my  words  were  printed  in  a  book, 
Or  carv'd  with  iron  pencil,  on  the  rock, 
Lasting  us  time,  and  as  my  sorrows  deep, 
That  nations,  yet  unborn,  might  read,  and  weep. 
25  Yet  brighter  hopes  my  darkest  hours  illume, 
My  faith  soars  high,  and  looks  beyond  the  tomb  ; 

genuine  friendship,  and  benevolent  sensibility,  in  the  hour  of  an 
guish  and  distress.  Its  beauty  is  unrivaled.  This  single  verse 
eclipses  all  the  Novels  and  Tragedies  that  ever  were  written.  It 
casts  all  the  boasted  and  tender  scenes  of  Romance,  far  into  the 
back  ground — there,  like  the  twinkling  stars  at  sun-rise,  thejr 
dwindle,  fade  and  vanish  before  it. 

(Verse  25.)     For  I  knoiv  that  my  Redeemer  livdb,  &c. 
This  is  a  high    triumph  of  faith.     Here  we  see  the  good  man 
rising  above  all  his  sufferings,  and,  cheered  with  the  belief  of  the 
resurrection,   and  a   life  everlasting,    rejoicing  in  tribulation,  in 
hope  of  the  glory  of  God. — Disgusting,  indeed,    is  the   opinion 
of  those,  who  affect  to  consider  this  sublime  and  pious  rhapsody 
of  Job,  as  looking  no  further  than  to  his  recovery  from  sickness, 
and  the  return  of  temporal  prosperity.     This  idea  prostrates  the 
(22)  Psalm  Ixix.  26: 

(25)  Rom.  via.  38.  and  Dan.  xii.  1.  and  Luke  xix.  12.  and 
Acts  Hi.  20. 


92  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Nor  rocks,  nor  sculptur'd  brass  shall  long  endure, 
But  cov'nant  mercy  stands  for  ever  sure. 
This  truth  I  know,  this  all  my  comfort  gives, 
My  Saviour  God,  my  blest  Redeemer  lives — 
At  the  last  day,  upon  this  earth  shall  stand, 
The  sleeping  dead  awake,  at  his  command. 

26  Then  death  shall  die,  the  grave  its  prey  restore, 
The  gnawing  worm  on  flesh  shall  feed  no  more, 
My  moulder'd  dust  to  life  and  glory  rise, 

And  hail  my  Saviour  with  rejoicing  eyes. 

27  Enrapt'ring  thought!  these  eyes,  now  fill'd  with  tear: 
My  God  shall  see—adieu  to  all  my  fears. 

28  Cease  then  to  wound,  and  penitently  say, 
"  Why  should  we  persecute  his  life  away  ? 

whole  strength  and  beauty  of  the  passage,  and  represents  Job  in 
a  very  diminutive  and  inconsistent  light.  Long  life,  and  worldl) 
prosperity,  were  not  the  objects  of  his  expectation,  or  desire 
He  had  earnestly  desired  death,  and  loathed  life — he  had  ever 
prayed  God  to  cut  him  off — he  had  said  that  his  breath  wai 
already  corrupt — that  his  days  were  finished,  and  the  graves  read) 
for  him  ; — and  now,  in  this  scene  of  gloom  and  distress,  he  look: 
beyond  this  weeping  vale  of  mortality — he  looks  beyond  th< 
grave  ;  and  derives,  as  he  had  already  done,  in  the  14th  Chapter 
all  his  support  and  comfort  from  the  assured  hope  of  a  resurrec 
tion,  and  a  glorious  immortality. — He,  therefore,  who  can  believe 
in  oppposition  to  all  this,  and  to  the  strong  and  pointed  expres 
sions  in  this  passage,  that  a  few  years  of  worldly  prosperity,  ii 
the  very  evening  of  life,  an  event,  of  which  he  had  not  then 
even  a  rational  prospect,  was  to  Job.  the  object  of  supreme  desire 
trust  and  confidence,  and  even  to  inspire  this  higk  triumph  o. 
faith' — it  seems,  must  be  as  much  wanting  in  common  sense,  a; 
his  opinion  would  suppose  Job  to  have  been,  in  special  grace. 

(26)  Matt.  xxii.  30.  and  Phil.iii.  21. 

(27)  Isaiah  xxvi.  19.  and  1  Cor.  xv.  53. 

(28)  Gal.  iv.  29. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  S3 

«  The  saint  afflicted,  is  no  hypocrite, 

"  The  heart,  though  fill'd  with  grief,  may  still  be 

right." 

•9   Then  farther  think — the  sword  of  justice  fear, 
Think  and  amend,  before  God's  wrath  appear  ; 
For  He  shall  well  avenge  his  children's  wrongs, 
And  shame  and  silence  persecuting  tongues  ; 
That  you  and  all  mankind,  may  surely  know, 
A  God  of  justice  rules  the  world  below. 


ZOPHAR. 

XX.        We  know  it  well — on  this  my  plea  is  built, 
To  shame  thine  arrogance,  and  prove  thy  guilt. 

By  long  discourse,  wide  wand'ring  from  the  text, 
My  mind  was  darken'd  and  my  thoughts  perplext ; 
I  thence  resolv'd,  arid  this  the  reason  why, 
To  hear  in  silence,  and  no  more  reply. 
The  point  now  seen,  with  ardor  fresh  I  burn, 
And  rise,  with  haste,  to  answer  in  my  turn. 

3  Whilst  hoping  candor  would  the  truth  unfold, 
I've  heard  revilings  shameful  to  be  told. 
Stung  with  reproaches  which  to  thee  belong, 
Offended  reason  now  impels  my  tongue. 

4  That,  God  destroys  the  rebel  to  his  throne, 
Thyself  art  caus'd  to  feel ;  and  well  may'st  o  , 
Art  thou  so  ign'rant  of  the  race  of  man, 

And  his  whole  hist'ry,  since  the  world  began  ; 

(29)  Eccl.  -:i.  9. 

(i)    Gal.  iv.  18.  (J)  Chap.  iv.  3. 

(4)  Psalm  Ixxvii.H. 


S4  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

5  Hast  thoii  not  heard  of  old,  or  dost  forget, 
That  wrath   Divine  pursues  the  hypocrite  ? 

His  crimes,  tho'  night  and  darkness  may  conceal, 
The  day  shall  pubmb,  and  the  light  reveal, 
Short  is  his  triumph,  seen  his  joys  are  past. 
Blown,  like  the  smoke,  before  the  northern  blast. 

6  Though  great  his  wealth,  and  high  his  glory  rise, 
Beam  like  the  sun,  and  soar  above  the  skies  ; 

7  At  once  he  falls,  by  hand  unseen  destroy'd, 
Departs  his  breath,  his  hopes  and  joys  are  void. 
To  darkness  chiv'n,  and  in  the  dust  laid  low, 
Who  saw  him  once,  shall  say,  tvhere  is  he  now  ? 

8  He's  gone nor  brick  nor  pillar  left  to  mark, 

Where  stood  the  palace  once,  or  wherej  the  park. 
Like  darting  meteor,  vanish'd  from  the  sight, 
Or  dream  forgotten,  ere  the  morning  light  ; 

9  His  pomp  and  greatness,  noise  and  life  are  o'er, 
Who  saw  him  once,  shall  never  see  him  more. 

10  His  hapless  children,  forced  to  restore, 
What,  erst  their  sire,  exacted  from  the  poor, 
Reduc'd  to  poverty,  with  want  distress'd, 

Now  court  the  smiles  of  those  they  once  oppress'd. 

1 1  Thro'  life  he  drudg'd,  his  sordid  passion's  slave, 
And  early  vices  follow'd  to  his  grave. 

(Verse  11.)     His  bones   are  full  (f  the  sins  of  his  youth,  txbicb 

shall  lie  dc-wi  with  him  in  the  dust. 

This  expression  is  very  striking,  and  its  instruction  weighty 
and  important.     Two  interesting  considerations  are  suggested  by 
it.     1.  That  the  sins  of  our  youth,   that  period  of  life  in  which 
we  are  the  most  capable   of  activity   in  the  service  of  God,  are 
(5)  Dan.  iv.  31.  (6)  Isaiah  xiv.  13,  14. 

(7)  Psalm  xxxvii.  36.  and  Ixxxiii.  10.     (8)  2  Thess.  ii.  8. 
(XO)  Hab.  ii.  9,  10, 11.  (11)  Ezek.  xxiv.  13, 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.        %  95 

The  sins  of  youth,  imbib'd  with  infant  breath, 
As  life  are  lasling,  and  ne'er  end  till  death. 
Inherent  as  the  bone,  the  sinful  bent 
"  Grew  with  his  growth,"  and  strengthen'd  as  he 

went  ; 

The  tyrant  spirit,  in  the  cradle  hurs'd, 
Lives  thro'  his  life,  and  with  him  dies  accurs'd. 

12  Yet,  though  his  secret  sins  to  him  be  sweet, 
Roll'd  in  his  mouth,  and  hidden  with  deceit ; 

1 3  Though  stiil  in  wickedness  he  persevere, 
Despise  reproof,  and  truth  refuse  to  hear  ; 
By  artful  sophistry  his  mind  deceive, 

And  bribe  his  conscience  with  "  a  name  to  live  ;" 

14  The  worse  his  state,  when  forc'd  to  feel  the  truth, 
His  food  more  pois'nous  than  the  serpent's  tooth  ; 
His  calm  of  peace  forebodes  a  storm  of  wrath, 
And  sweets  pf  sin,  precede  the  sting  of  death. 

aggravatedly  provoking  in  his  sight — that  he  lays  them  up 
against  us,  however  for0jtten  by  us,  and  unless  repentance  pre 
vent,  doth  often,  by  his  judgments,  visit  for  them  in  old  age. 
2.  The  interesting  period  of  youth  is  the  fittest  and  best  time  of 
receiving  instruction,  and  becoming  truly  religious.  Then  is  the 
time,  the  moral  character  is  formed,  and  the  habits  of  virtue  or 
vice  fixed  and  established. — "  His  bones  are  full  of  the  sin  of  his 
youth,  which  shall  lie  down  with  him  in  the  dust." — Awful 
thought  !  they  are  as  lasting  as  life  :  but  "  train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old,  he  well  not  depart 
from  it."  Hence,  let  all,  and  especially  the  young,  well  consider, 
for  they  cannot,  too  deeply  realize,  the  importance  of  religious 
education,  and  of  early  piety  ;  as  the  means  of  infixing  the  ha 
bits  of  virtue,  of  laying  a  foundation  for  a  peaceful  old  age,  and 
a  happy  immortality. 

(12)  Prov.  ix.  17.  (13)  Jer.  xiii.  23. 

,  .  1-)  Rev.  xviii.  7. 


96  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

15  Hisswallow'd  riches,  and  unrighteous  gain, 
His  retching  stomach  shall  not  long  retain  • 
The  greedy  whirlpool  shall  its  prey  restore' 
Avenging  God  adjudge  it  to  the  poor  • 
In  darkness  whelm'd  his  brightest  prospects  fail, 
And  pride  and  avarice  no  more  prevail. 
16  A  nauseous  potion  is  his  nectar  sweet, 
A  fatal  poison  his  most  dainty  meat ; 
The  tongue  of  viper,  and  the  deadly  asp 
His  eyes  shall  close,  and  loose  his  eager  grasp. 
If   Nor  floods  of  joy,  nor  rivers  of  delight 

Nor  brooks  of  milk  and  honey  bless  his' sieht  • 
The  dazzling  objects  of  his  fond  desire,   " 
The  wealth  and  pleasure  which  his  soul  inspire 
it  mock  his  hopes,  his  grasping  hands  elude,  ' 

leave  him  panting  for  th'  expected  good. 
Iis  labor  vain,  his  wealth,  acquir'd  by  wrongs 
Returns  untested,  where  it  all  belongs  • 
By  rules  of  righteousness,  his  goods  restor'd, 
No  satisfaction  to  his  heart  afford. 
19   Since,  by  oppression  of  the  poor  he  ihriv'd 

The  rightfol  owner  of  his  house  depriv'd. 
(Verse  19.)     Because  ,e  hmb  ^^^  ^  ^^  ^ 

Notwithstanding  Job's  friends,  were  upon  the  wron*  side  of 
»e  question,  and  took  mistaken  ground  in  the  deba " T  ye ttel 
speeches  are  full  of  weighty  instruction  anddesemng  cf'our  hS. 

i  ljrov.  xxiii.  8.  and  Matt,  xxvii.  3. 
(16)  Prov.  xxiii.  32. 
17)  2  Kings  vii.  2.  and  Jer.  xvii.  6. 

Dent,  xxviii.  31.  and  Psalm  cix.  11. 
19)  Matt.  xxv.  25,  36,  and  James  ii.  13. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  97 

20  Remorse  and  fear  shall  edge  his  keen  distress, 
And  frowning  Heav'n  forbid  him  to  possess  : 

2 1  Nought  shall  be  left  him  when  his  debts  are  paid, 
Nor  inventory  of  his  goods  be  made. 

«t  regard.  We  are  in  no  danger  of  being  misled  by  them,  if 
we  do  not  insulate  and  abstract  them  ;  but  take  them  up  in  con 
nection,  and  explain  them  by  the  light  of  other  scriptures,  com 
paring  spiritual  things  with  spiritual.  They,  doubtless,  delivered 
general  moral  truths  ;  such,  especially,  as  that  the  hypocrite  was 
the  object  of  the  divine  abhorrence,  and  would  assuredly  meet 
with  the  vengeance  of  his  God — but,  they  erred,  in  limiting  the 
time  when,  to  the  present  state,  as  the  commencement  of  retri 
bution  ;  and  thence,  making  particular  application  of  it  to  Job  ; 
arguing  from  his  peculiar  sufferings,  his  total  want  of  upright 
ness,  and  the  yery  aggravated  nature  of  his  guilt. — Nor  is  it  to 
be  wondered  at,  that,  circumstanced  as  they  were,  they  should  so 
fully  adopt,  and  so  tenaciously  adhere  to  this  sentiment.  In  that 
early  age,  the  doctrine  of  a  future  state,  though  believed  by  the 
people  of  God,  was  yet  but  very  imperfectly  known  or  under 
stood — it  is  a  distinguishing  glory  of  the  gospel,  that  by  it, 
"  Life  and  immortality  are  brought  to  light,"  or  fully  revealed. 
And  furthermore  ;  we  have  great  reason  to  believe  that  as  God 
ever  adapts  his  moral  government  to  the  state  of  mankind,  his 
providential  dealings,  in  that  age  of  the  world,  were  very  differ 
ent  from  what  they  are  in  the  present — that  then  the  moral 
characters  of  men,  and  especially  those  eminent  either  for  their 
piety,  or  wickedness,  were  more  and  more  frequently  designa 
ted  by  outward  circumstances — that  this  became  less  and  less  the 
case,  and  the  teachings  of  his  providence  upon  this  subject,  less 
and  less  explicit,  as  the  canon  of  scripture  increased,  and  the 
light  of  revelation  became  more  and  more  bright  and  instructive. 
Now,  under  the  clear  instruction  of  the  gospel  dispensation, 
\vhen  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  Heaven,  against  all  un- 

(20)  Psalm  xlix.  7.  and  Luke  xii.  20. 

(21)  Jer.  xvii.  11.  and  xxii.  19,  and  Luke  xvi.  24. 

I 


98  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

22  In  midst  of  wealth,  his  cares  and  wants  abound. 
The  wicked  join  to  pluck  him  to  the  ground. 

23  Incensed  Heav'n  shall  blast  his  fondest  wish, 
And  mingle  vengeance,  with  his  daintiest  dish. 

24  In  vain  he  seeks  for  safety  by  retreat, 
His  wretched  state  no  safety  will  admit ; 
From  harm  he  flies,  a  greater  harm  to  feel, 
The  lance  escap'd,  he  meets  the  bow  of  steel  ; 

25  Drawn  from  his  side  the  dart,  he  gasps  for  breath, 
And  shrieks  with  terror,  in  the  pangs  of  death. 

26  While  nameless  plagues  now  burst  the  secret  doors 
And  dark  recesses  of  his  hidden  stores, 
Whirlwinds  and  thunderbolts  sweep  all  around, 

28  Nor  son,  nor  daughter  in  his  house  is  found. 
His  earthly  all,  see  swiftly  roll  away, 
Like  rapid  torrents  to  the  boundless  sea  ; 

righteousness,  and  ungodliness  of  men,that  Scripture  maxim  ,"  all 
things  come  alike  to  all"  applies  in  its  full  extent  ;  and  if  there  be 
any  distinctions  cf  moral  characters  made  in  outward  providences, 
it  seems  to  be  in  the  peculiar  sufferings  and  trials  of  the  righteous  ; 
•while  the  wicked  are  reserved  to  the  day  of  judgment.  The 
friends  of  Job  had  many  things  in  Providence,  to  inspire  and 
strengthen  their  sentiment,  and  with  which  to  enforce  their  argu 
ments  in  the  debate.  On  the  one  hand,  their  father  Abraham, 
who,  for  his  godliness,  was  the  very  phenix  of  cur  fallen  race, 
was  a  man  of  very  great  wealth,  honor,  and  influence.  Ou 
the  other  hand,  the  memorable  examples  of  the  divine  vengeance 
upon  the  wicked,  in  the  deluge  of  Noah,  and  the  fiery  storm  up 
on  Sodom,  were  relied  on  by  them,  and  adduced  as  proofs  of  their 
'position.  See  Chap,  xviii.  15.  and  xxii.  15,  16. 

(22)  Luke  xii.  19.  (23)  Numb.  xi.  33. 

(24)  Isaiah  xxiv.  18.       (25)  Deut.  xxxii.41. 
(S6)  Heb,  xii.  29.  (28)  Rev.  xviii.  17. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  99 

27  Heav'n  from  above  his  wickedness  disclose, 
And  earth  approving,  triumph  in  his  woes. 

29  Such  is  the  path,  the  wealthy  sinner  trode, 
And  such  his  portion  from  the  hand  of  God. 

JOB. 

XXI.       I've  heard  you  each  with  patience  to  the  end, 
With  equal  patience  now,  my  speech  attend. 
Since  this  the  comfort  all,  you  can  afford, 
With  candor  hear,  and  note  my  ev'ry  word. 

3  So  clear  the  point,  I'll  not  detain  you  long, 

Few   words  will    serve  to  prove  your  reas'nings 

wrong. 

*This  task  perform'd,  my  work  •will  then  be  o'er. 
And  you  may  ply  your  mock'ry,  as  before. 

4  Man's  erring  judgment  is,  -with  me,  but  light, 
From  reason  arguing  wrong,  as  oft  as  right ; 
As  void  of  pity  as  of  pow'r  to  s?.ve, 

Nor  comfort,  nor  instruction  ever  gave  ; 
Too  ignorant  to  judge,  too  proud  to  learn, 
Too  blind,  the  path  of  duty  to  discern  ; 
Vindictive,  cruel,  partial  and  severe, 
For  friend,  or  foe,  untaught  to  drop  a  tear  ; 

To  each,  alike  uncandid  and  unjust 

In  such  a  being,  should  I  put  my  trust  ? 

To  him  for  comfort  seek,  with  suppliant  pray'r  ? 

Then  might  I  sink  in  darkness  and  despair 

Impervious  gloom  !  each  comfort  would  be  fled, 
And  hopeless  horror  fill  my  soul  with  dread. 
(27)  Rom.  i.  18.  and  Isaiah  xxvi.  21. 
(29)  Matt.  xxiv.  51.  (4)  2  Kings  vi.  27. 


100  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3  Why  then  should  you  unask'd,  this  pow'r  assume, 
My  state  to  judge,  and  fix  my  final  doom  ; 
The  depths  of  Providence  presume  to  scan, 
And  deal  damnation  to  a  Fellow  man  ? 

6  Thro*  future  life,  till  my  expiring  day, 

This  awful  scene  will  strike  me  with  dismay  ; 
Rememb'ring  what  I've  seen,  and  heard,  and  felt, 
My  blood  recoil,  my  heart  with  anguish  melt. 
5       Stay  then  your  censures,  view  my  wretched  plight, 
How  great  my  suff 'rings,  yet  my  heart  upright  ; 
Pensive  and  sad,  with  fear  and  wonder  aw'd, 
In  silence  look,  and  leave  th'  event  with  God. 
Thus  far  in  safety  go — but,  leap  this  bound, 
You  tread  presumptuous  on  forbidden  ground. 

7  The  works  of  Providence,  their  depth,  their  height, 
Are  far  beyond  the  ken  of  mortal  sight. 

In  this  dark  state,  'tis  hard  for  us  to  prove, 
Which  are  the  fruits  of  anger,  which  of  love. 
Tiie  saint  and  sinner  share  the  same  event, 
To  both  the  goods  and  ills  of  life  are  sent, 
To  both  the  frowns  of  Heav'n  are  justly  due  ; 
Yet  discipline  and  punishment  are  two  ;  , 

The  (.'iie  for  good,  in  cov'nant  mercy  flows, 
The  other  but  preludes  still  greater  woes. 
Mark  this  distinction  well,  for  here  you  err, 
And  from  this  point,  conclusions  false  infer. 
You've  each  a  picture  drawn,  in  colours  bright, 

To  paint  the  mis'ry  of  the  hypocrite 

"  His  triumph  short,  his  jcys  soon  Pied,"  you  say, 
t;  His  Avretclied  life  is  but  a  winter's  day, 

(5)  Psalm  cxix.  120.  (6)  Hab.  iii.  16. 

(7)  Jerem.  xii.  1.  and  Hab.  i.  16. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  101 

"  Himself  his  children  into  darkness  driv'n, 

"  By  ills  mark'd  cut  the  scorn  of  angry  Heav'n." 

Admit  it  true — yet  surely  'tis  unfair, 

At  large  t'  apply  examples  few  and  rare  ; 

'Tis  not  the  part  of  wise  men,  but  of  fools, 
To  form  exceptions  into  general  rules. 
On  your  hypothesis,  shew,  if  you  can, 
Plain  stubborn  facts  consistent  with  your  plan  ; 
A  simple  answer  to  this  question  give, 

Why  are  ths  wicked  e'er  allorj'd  to  live  ? 
Why  live  to  age,  in  crimes  and  years  grow  gray  ? 
Why  rise  to  thrones,  and  royal  sceptres  SAvay, 
While  conquer'd  realms  their  sov'reign  will  obey  ? 

8  Confirmed  their  state,  their  eyes  well  pleas'd  behold 
Their  offspring  rise,   their  sons  array 'd  in  gold. 

' '     Strangers  to  other's  ills,  unknown  to  weep, 
They  rise  in  safety,  and  securely  sleep— 

9  From  fear  exempt,  their  houses  fili'd  with  good, 
And  spread  their  tables  with  delicious  food. 

10  Sure  their  increase  of  oxen,  sheep  and  kine, 
Their  fruitful  fields  abound  with  corn  and  wine  ; 
With  richest  broidery  their  halls  are  dress'd, 
Ai)d  beds  of  down  invite  to  balmy  r:.-A. 

1 1  In  flocks,  their  little  ones  sent  forth  to  play, 
Lead  up  the  dance  and  gambol  all  the  day  ; 

12  In  festal  songs  unite  their  jocund  voice, 
And  with  the  timbrel,  pipe  and  harp  rejoice. 

13  Thus  roll  their  days  in  wealth,  without  a  curb, 
No  sorrows  sting  them,  and  no  cares  disturb, 
Till  in  a  moment,  without  fear  or  pain, 
They  gasp  in  death,  and  sink  to  dust  again. 

(9)  Pialm  Ixxiii.  5.       (13)  Mact.  xxiv.  39.  8c  Luke  xii.  20, 
I   2 


162  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

14  By  pleasures  blinded,  and  -with  riches  curst, 
Their  earthborn  souls  lie  grov'ling  in  the  dust  ; 
With  hope  and  trust  repos'cl  in  yellow  gold, 
To  God  they  say,  in  impious  language  bold, 

"  Depart  frcm  us,  we  relish  not  thy  praise, 
"  Nor  feel  a  wish  to  understand  thy  ways  ; 

15  "  For  who  the  Lord,  that  we  should  stoop  t'  obeyr 
"  Or  what  our  profit,  if  we  kneel  and  pray  ?" 

16  Fools,  not  to  know,  their  Avealth  and  high  estate 
Flow  from  the  goodness  of  the  God  they  hate  ; 
That  life  apd  breath,  and  all  the  joys  they  feel, 
Depend,  each  moment,  on  his  sov'reign  will.       # 

Such  impious  thoughts  are  foreign  frommybreasU 
The  counsels  of  the  wicked  I  detest  ; — 
Such  language  from  my  lips  was  never  heard, 
In  happier  days  my  God,  I  lov'd  and  fear'd. 

17  Ofrimes  indeed  (than  this  no  point  more  sure) 

Mcst  grievous  ills  the  wicked  here  endure 

By  sudden  vengeance  into  darkness  driv'n, 

Are  made  examples  of  the  wrath  of  Heav'n. 

18  Almighty  anger  sweeps  the  haughty  worm, 
Swift  as  the  chaff  is  blown  before  the  storm. 

19  His  sins,  a  bitter  legacy,  shall  light 
Upon  "his  children,  in  their  father's  sight  ; 
The  awful  punishment  to  him  be  known, 
So  clear  the  sword  of  angry  justice  shown. 

20  Here,  in  this  life,  shall  his  reward  begin, 
His  eyes  behold  the  wages  of  his  sin. 

(14)  Luke  xix.  14.         (15)  Excd.  v.  2.  and  Zeph.  i.  1,  2. 
and  Mai.  iii.  14.      (16)  Gen.  xlix.  6.   &  Psa.i.  1.    &  Prcv.  i.  10. 
(17)  Luke  xii.  46.         (18)  Isa.  xvii.  13.  &  Zeph.  ii.  1,  2. 
(19)  Rev.  xviii.  5.         (20)  Rev.  xiv.  10. 


TRIA<L  OF  VIRTUE.  103 

This  awful  cup,  replete  with  wrath  divine, 

His  mouth  shall  drink,  compell'd  to  say — it's  mine, 

2 1  It  must  be  so,  and  not  as  you  have  saicl, 
That  children  suffer  this,  their  father  dead — - 
For  were  the  sire,  by  sudden  death  remov'd, 

•  And  torn  away  from  all  he  here  once  lov'd, 
From  earth  and  friends  dissolv'd — theirloss,  or  gain, 
Could  not  effect  his  pleasure,  or  his  pain  ; 
And  ills  whatever,  on  his  children  sent, 
To  him  unknown,  could  be  no  punishment. 

22  Will  ye  then  teach  to  rule  this  earthly  ball, 
The  Judge  of  angels  and  the  Lord  of  all  ? 
His  cab'net  enter,  search  his  vast  design, 
State  rules  of  government,  his  pow'rs  define  ? 
His  wisdom,  know,  sufficient  for  the  task, 

Of  none  he  counsel  needs,  of  none  will  ask  ; 
His  will  decrees,  his  hand  each  changeNeffects, 
Gives  birth  to  creatures,  and  -their  death  directs. 

23  One,  flourishing  in  ease,  and  quiet  state, 
Meets  dissolution  by  surprising  fate  ; 

24  In  bloom  of  manhood,  healthy  and  robust, 
By  sudden  casualty  is  laid  in  dust. 

23  Another  see,  by  pining  sickness  spent, 

And  pains  and  maladies  that  Heav'n  hath  sent, 
Deny'd  enjoyment  of  all  earthly  good, 
Knows  neither  quiet  rest,  nor  pleasant  food, 
But  drags  a  joyless  life,  in  tears  and  sighs, 
And,  at  the  last,  a  wasting  taper  dies. 

26  To  the  same  end  they're  brought,  in  different  forms? 
Each  finds  a  grave,  andvsleeps  the  prey  of  worms. 

(21)  Psalm  lv.  23.  (22)  Isaiah  xl.  13. 

(24)  Vsalm  xvii.  10.         (26  Eccl.  ix.  2. 


104  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

If  wicked  men,  such  diverse  lots  betide, 
How  will  ye  thence  their  moral  state  decide  ? 
If  saints  and  sinners  common  portions  share, 
How,  from  their  portions,  tell  me  which  they  are  ? 

27  I  read  your  faces,  and  full  well  I  ween, 

What  tho'ts  of  mischief,  pass  yourselves  between — 
Hostile  your  hearts,  your  ears  to  me  so  deaf, 
Nor  facts  convince,  nor  truth  can  gain  belief  ; 
"While  this  your  object  fixt,  or  wrong,  or  right, 
To  prove  that  Job  is  but  a  hypocrite. 

28  "  Where  is  the  prince," in  taunting  mood,  you '11  say. 
"  Who  once  in  alms,  so  much  did  give  away  ? 

"  His  children  where  ?— -to  death's   retreat  they're 

sent — 

"  Say,  righteous  man,  is  not  this — punishment  ? 
"  Where  stood  his  palace,  now  in  ashes  laid  ? 
"  If  it  be  true,  as  you  so  oft  have  said, 
"  The  good  and  bad  a  common  portion  share, 
"  What  certain  mark  informs  us  which  they  are  ? 
"  On  this  hypothesis,  how  canst  thou  prove, 
"  Thy  rare  afflictions  sent  in  cov'nant  love  ?" 
I  neither  prove,  nor    can  you  it  deny, 

'Tis  not  on  me  to  give  you  reasons  why 

Your  test  of  goodness,  I  must  still  decline, 
On  this  shall  ne'er  submit,  nor  issue  join. — 
The  deeds  of  virtue,  since  the  world  began, 
Alone  point  out  the  truly  virtuous  man. 
This  principle,  on  which  I  make  defence, 
Is  clear  to  reason  and  to  common  sense. 

(27)  Matthew  vii.  16. 

(28)  Chap.  i.  18, 19.  and  Psalm  xlix.  11. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  105 

59  If  true — should  it  condemn  me  or  acquit, 

Ask  now  those  trav'lers  passing  in  the    street  ; 
Impartial  they,  you  know  their  tokens  well, 
Since  me  you  trust  not  ;  ask,  and  they  will  tell. 
Or  read,  where  yonder  Cypress  spreads  its  shade, 
The  letter'd  monuments  of  human  dead  ; 
Interpreters  of  death,  tho'  dumb,  they  speak, 
Hear  their  instruction,  and  no  further  seek. 
While  Conscience,  voice  divine,  within  your  breast, 
With  them  will  join — -the  same  great  truths  attest  ; 

(Verse  29.)  Have  ye  not  asked  them  that  go  by  the  way  ?  a?idd» 
ye  not  knoio  their  tokens  ? 

This  verse  is  of  very  doubtful  and  difficult  explanation,  and  va 
riously  expounded  by  commentators.  It  will  be  needless  to 
enumerate  all  the  different  senses  given  of  it.  Two  only  are 
selected,  which  appear  the  most  natural  and  obvious ;  and  as  they 
are  not  contrary  to  each  other,  and  both  equally  accord  with  the 
situation  of  Job,  and  the  drift  of  his  discourse,  they  are  both  in 
troduced  in  the  paraphrase,  connected  with  a  disjunctive  particle, 
as  alternate  and  corresponding  sources  of  instruction.  That  Job, 
having  very  clear  and  confident  views  of  the  truth  of  his  subject, 
ind  at  that  moment  seeing  certain  travellers  passing  in  the  street, 
should  feel  willing  and  desirous  to  refer  it  to  them,  or  any  impar 
tial  persons  of  common  sense  and  reflection,  is  not  an  unnatural 
supposition. — Or,  if  in  proof  of  his  point,  he  should  lead  their 
minds  to  the  repositories  of  the  dead,  and  point  them  to  the  mon 
umental  inscriptions  of  the  tombs,  he  would  still  rise  in  his  sub 
ject,  and  the  appeal  be  amazingly  striking  and  solemn.  By  these, 
he  dead  still  speak,  and  declare  the  sense  of  the  living.  But  for 
:he  faith  of  futurity,  the  lifeless  dust  of  a  man,  would  be  of  no 
nore  account  than  that  of  a  beast.  Grave-yards  therefore,  and 
inonumental  inscriptions,  imply,  in  the  minds  of  the  living,  a 
ixed  belief  of  a  resurrection,  and  a  future  state  of  retribution  ; 
ind  that  death  it  not  an  eternal  sleep. 


106  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

30  That  this  dark  world,  possess'd  by  earthly  lords, 
Is  but  a  state  of  trial,  not  rewards. 

Here,  plac'd  at  school,  men  form  their  future  stateSj 
Glory,  the  wise  ;  and  wrath,  the  fool  awaits. 
While  in  the  flesh,  the  saint  is  far  from  home, 
And  stores  his  treasures  in  the  world  to  come. 
The  sinner  here,  no  higher  portion  knows, 
Reserv'd  to  judgment,  and  eternal  woes  ; 
While  thoughtless,  walking  on  the  slipp'ry  steep, 
Hell  waits  his  fall,  and  yawns  a  fiery  deep  ; 
At  death,  he  plunges,  all  his  hopes  prove  vain, 
And  devils  drag  him  to  the  burning  main. 

31  Who,  then,  his  crimes  shall  to  his  face  display  ? 
Who  here  convict  him,  and  his  deeds  repay  ? 

His  work  and  wages  are  with  God  alone, 
Then  wait  the  sentence  of  his  holy  throne. 

32  His  soul  arraign'd   before  the  judgment  seat, 
Sweetly  his  flesh  shall  rest  in  death's  retreat  ; 

33  UnnumberM  follow,  as  they've  gone  before, 
Nor  wake  from  sleep,  'till  time  shall  be  no  more. 

34  Shame  on  your  pleadings  then,  so  false  and  vain. 
That  all  your  comforting  but  swells  my  pain. 

(30)  2  Pet.  ii.  9.  (51)  Gal.  ii.  11. 

(32)  Lukexvi.  22.         (33)  Heb.  ix.  2f. 
(34)  Isaiah  1.  11. 


PART  IV. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


ELIPHAZ  shews  that  man's  goodness  profits  not  God.  He  ac 
cuses  Job  of  divers  sins,  and  exhorts  him  to  repentance,  with 
promises  of  mercy. 

Job  longs  to  appear  before  God,  in  confidence  of  his  mercy.  God 
who  is  invisible,  observes  our  ways.  He  professes  his  inno 
cence.  God's  decree  is  immutable.  Wickedness  often  goes 
unpunished.  There  is  a  secret  judgment  for  the  wicked. 

Eildad  sets  forth  God's  sovereignty,  before  whom  man  cannot  be 
justified. 

Job  reproving  the  uncharitable  spirit  of  Bildad — acknowledges 
God's  power  and  wisdom  to  be  infinite.  Protests  his  sincerity. 
The  hypocrite  without  hope.  The  blessings  of  the  wicked  often 
turned  into  curses.  Though  man  may  search  deep  into  nature, 
yet  to  understand  Gcd's  ways,  is  beyond  his  reach.  Wisdom 
is  an  excellent  gift  of  God.  He  bemoans  himself,  calling  to 
mind  his  former  prosperity  and  honor  Laments  the  change 
of  hia  honor  into  extreme  contempt,  and  his  prosperity  into 
calamity.  Makes  a  solemn  protestation  of  his  integrity  in  se 
veral  duties  ;  and  thus  ends  the  dialogue  with  his  three  friends. 
fbis  fart  cads  ivitb  tbe  3 1st  Chapter. 


ELIPHAZ. 


XXII.XvEASON  may  read  the  language  of  the  rod, 
And  learn  the  righteous  providence    of  God  ; 
And  hence,  from  pride  and  prejudice  set  free, 
Elude  th'  ensnaring  arts  of  sophistry. 
False  principles,  I  grant,  are  dang'rous  things  ; 
For  these,  the  source,  whence  false  deduction  springs, 
So  clear  the  point,  none  need  attempt  to  show, 
From  Litter  fount,  no  pleasant  streams  can  flow. 
Trace  back  thy  reas'nings  then,   mark  well  their" 

source  ; 

And  by  this  rule,  confess  them  void  of  force. 
3  This  seems  the  scope  of  til  thy  pleadings,  still. 
my  merit)  I  deserve  no  ill 


From  hence,  thy  cries  of  injury,   so  oft, 
And  faithful  friends,  as  bitter  foes  are  scoff'd. 
Why  else,  to  God,  and  us  thy  fellow  nisn, 
Dost  boast  thy  Ifoodness,  o'er  and  o'er  again  ? 
Doth  Gocl  the  blested,  look  for  bliss  to  thee  ? 
Is  such  thy  worth  ?  —  art  greater  thou,  than  He  ? 
Was  it  for  his  own  happiness  and  good, 
He  gave  thee  life,  and  fills  thy  mouth  with  food  ? 

(2)  Psalm  xvi.  2. 

K 


110  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3  When  led,  by  wisdom,  in  the  paths  of  peace, 
Canst  thou  his  greatness,  or  his  wealth  increase  r 
Would  it  advance  his  profit,  or  delight, 

If  perfect  were  thy  ways,  thine  heart  upright  ? 
For  service  done,  wilt  thou  adduce  thy  claim, 
And  file  thy  charge  against  Jehovah's  name  ? 

4  Doth  He,  because  He  dreads  thy  pow'r  so  great, 
With  pains  afflict  thee,  to  reduce  thy  state  ? 

Or  will  he  prosecute  thee  for  redress, 

As  man  with  man,  in  earthly  courts  contests  ? 

5  Aspiring  worm  1  how  blind  thy  mortal  sight  I 
Thy  virtues  small,  thy  sins  are  infinite. 

6  Since  duty  bids  me  act  a  faithful  part, 

And  truth  announce,  in  thunder  to  thy  heart ; 

(Verse  6.)  For  tbou  bast  taken  a  pledge  of  thy  brother  fjr 
nought,  "<S"c. 

How  obstina'e  is  error  !  how  blirding  the  influence  and  power 
of  prejudice — and  how  multifarious  the  shifts  und  windings  of 
the  sel;:£.h  dic;,iiraiit,  to  resist  conviction,  and  maintain  a  shew 
cf  argument,  even  when  essentially  confuted  !  Of  these,  we  have 
a  glowing  example  in  this  speech  of  Eliphaz  ;  and  especially,  in. 
the  unfounded  charges  he  here  brings.  Job's  arguments,  in  the 
last  chapter,  were  conclusive.  They  felt  them  to  be  such,  and  yet 
were  too  determined  on  mastery  to  yield — too  obstinately  bent  on 
fixing  the  odium  of  wickedness  on  Job,  to  give  up  the  great  ob 
ject  of  dispute.  Beaten  off  the  ground  they  had  first  taken,  in 
the  general  charge  of  hypocrisy,  they  were  now  necessitated  to 
bring  forward  specific  charges,  cr  concede  thegrand  point  in  issue, 
and  give  up  the  controversy  entirely.  Thence  originated  the 
charges  here  advanced  by  Eliphaz,  in  which  suspicion  is  assumed 
for  evidence,  and  presumption  for  proof.  It  is  one  thing  to 
accuse  ;  and  another  to  convict — this  seemed  to  be  the  only 

(3)  1  Sam.  xv.  22.  (4)  Psalm  xxxix.  11. 

(.3)  Actsxxviii.  4.  (6)    CUap.  xxxi.  39 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  HI 

Hear,  then,  thy  crimes,  attentive  silence  keep, 
And  wake  thy  conscience  from  its  deadly  sleep. 
The  list,  though  partial,  may  disclose  the  whole, 
And  flash  conviction  on  thy  guilty  soul. 
Unfeeling  man,  ungen'rous  and  unjust, 

To  cast  off  pity,  and  abuse  thy  trust 

By  a  poor  brother's  wrongs  thy  name  is  stain'd, 
His  pledge  thou  holdest  tho'  unjustly  gain'd. 
The  needy,  of  his  garment,  why  didst  fleece, 
And  leare  the  wretch  to  shiver  and  to  freeze  ? 

7  Thy  cup  refuse  the  weary  soul  athirst, 
And  spurn  the  beggar  crouching  for  a  crust  ? 

8  A  judge  corrupt  thou  wast,  who  justice  sold, 
And  bartcr'd  right,  for  honor  and  for  gold. 
The  grinding  landlord,  in  contempt  of  right, 
Who  robb'd  the  peasant  of  his  hard  earn'd  mite  ; 
Thy  hand  upheld — his  wicked  cause  sustain'd  ;  . 
By  thee  th'  oppressor,  thro'  the  kingdom  reign'd — 

9  The  hapless  widow,  of  her  dow'r  was  stript, 
The  poor  man  houseless,  and  the  orphan  wept, 

10       Here  view  the  source,  from  which  thy  mischief 

flows  ; 
Hence  rolls  the  mighty  torrent  of  thy  woes  ; 

point  finally  demonstrated  by  his  charges — for  the  result  exhibit 
ed  Eliphaz  as  deficient  in  the  latter,  as  he  had  been  confident  in 
the  farmer.  How  important  then  is  candor,  in  the  investigation 
of  truth  !  This  is  the  only  sure  guide  to  the  discovery  of  it ;  and 
whenever  we  follow  the  direction  of  prejudice  and  party-spirit,  we 
invariably  mistake  it. 

(7)  Prov.  xxv.  21.  and  James  ii.  15. 

(8)  Psalm  xii.  8.  (9)  Chap.  xxxi.  2L 
(10)  1  Sam.  xxviii.  20. 


112  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Incensed  Heav'n  to  justice  wakes   betimes, 
In  plagues  outnumber'd,  only  by  thy  crimes. 

1 1  Davk  fears  assail  thee,  snares  thy  path  o'erspread, 
And  vengeance  lights  upon  thy  guilty  head. 

12  Yet  still  unhumbled,  obstinate  and  blind, 
Thoughts,  bold  and  blasphemous,  possess  thy  mind ; 
Nor  se*st  the  hand,  nor  hearest  thou  the  rod, 

Nor  v/ilt  confess,  the  justice  of  thy  God. 

"  Behold"  say'st  thou,  while  gazing  to  the  sky, 

"  Yon  blue  expanse,  and  starry  worlds  on  high  ; 

"  How  far  remov'd  those  gems  of  liquid  light, 

"  Whose  beams  scarce  travel  down  to  mortal  sight. 

"  Yet,  far  beyond  th'  immeasurable  bounds, 

«  Where  st?a-3  and  comets  wheel  their  stated  rounds ; 

«  In  awful    glory,  dwells  the  Great  Supreme, 

"  And  bowing  angels  make  his  praise  their  theme. 

13  «  From  this  exalted  heigh1:,  will  He  look  clown, 
«  To  view  this  outmost  province  of  his  crown  ? 

14  "  Can  foot-stool  earth,  can  pigmy  man  be  seen, 

"  While  planets,  suns  and  stars  revolve  between  ? 
"  His  hand  too  busy,  and  too  high  his  thoughts, 
*'  To  note  my  virtues,  or  regard  my  faults. 
"  Confm'd,  his  providence — from  chance,  my  woes  ; 
"  Which  He,  nor  orders,  nor  prevents,  nor  knows." 
15,16      But,  hast  thou,  stupid  man,  nor  heard,  nor  known, 
How,  erst  the  arm  of  Heav'n  in  vengeance  shone  ? 
(Verse  15,  16.)     Hast   thou  marked  the  old  way,  which  wicked 
men  have  troddtn  ;  which  itere  cut  dov;n  otit  of  time,  tokoie 
foundation  was  o-cerflo-ivn  \cith  a  f.o'td. 
Tiiis  so  evidently  refers  to  the  antediluvian   world,  and  thec*- 

(11)  Psalm  xsxii.  6.  (12)  IVJm  cxv.  3. 

(14)  Psalm  cxxxi-.12.         (15)  1  Cor.  x.  5   urtd  5  Pet.  i>.  C 

(16)  Matt.  xxiv.  38. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  113 

Nor  mark'd  the  path,  the  ancient  wicked  trode, 
Who  mock'd  the  pow'r  and  providence  of  God  ; 
The  threat'nings  of  his  law,  who  durst  despise, 
And  fill'd  the  earth  with  violence  and  lies  ? 

1 8  They  danc'd,  they  feasted,  quaff 'd  their  wine  in  gold ; 
They  planted,  builded,  married,  bought  and  sold.; 

17  Pamper'd  in  wanton  ease,  at  mx'ry's  board, 
The  harden'd  rebels  arm  against  their  Lord  ; 
And  thus,  to  God,  their  impious  language  raise,' 
Dc/iartfrom  us,  ive  relish  not   thy  ways, 
Nor  fear  thy  frowns,  nor  humbly  seek  thy  grace. 

struction  of  mankind  by  the  deluge,  that  I  have  not  scrupled  to 
:onsider  it  in  this  light  in  the  paraphrase,  and  to  amplify  it  accor 
dingly  with  some  of  the  known  historical  incidents  of  that  tre 
mendous-event.— —Eliphaz  here  argues  from  effect  to  cause,  or 
rather,  from  consequences  to  their  premises.  From  the  very  na 
ture  of  the  dispute,  which  was  whether  God  distinguishes  the 
moral  characters  of  men  in  his  providence,  it  seems,  that  his 
principal  arguments  must  be  taken  from  matters  of  fact ;  oc- 
:urrences  already  passed  under  their  observation,  or  the  events 
•ecorded  in  history,  affording  special  examples  of  the  divine  ven- 
jeance  upon  the  wicked,  well  known  and  authenticated  as  such. — 
A.  stronger  fact  in  proof  of  his  point,  Eliphaz  could  not  have 
wrought  ;  and  no  age  of  the  world  since  has  ever  produced. — 
Phen,  all  flesh  had  corrupted  his  way,  and  the  earth  was  filled 
with  violence  ;  and  God  saw  fit,  in  his  holy  displeasure,  to  treat 
mankind,  in  his  providence,  according  to  their  real  characters  ; 
ind  by  an  awful  destruction,  swept  off  the  whole  race,  Noah  and 
his  family  only  excepted.  This,  then,  is  the  force  of  Eliphaz' 
reasoning — if,  then,  the  eminent  judgments  of  God  indicated  the 
eminent  wickedness  of  those  upon  whom  they  were  sent — they  do 
so  still ;"  and  thou  Job,  standest  convicted  by  the  infallible  testi 
mony  of  Heaven. 

(18)  Psalm  xvii.  14.        (17)  Pialm  iv.  6.  &  Jer.  xliv.  16. 
K    2 


114  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

16  Thus  speeds  their  course,  till  comes  the  fatal  day. 
The  deluge  pours,  and  sweeps  them  all  away  ; 
While  righteous  Noah  sails  above  the  wave, 
Whelm'd  are  the  wicked  in  a  wat'ry  grave. 

1 9  The  saints  behold  the  judgments  of  their  God, 
And  while  they  tremble,  wonder  and  applaud. 

20  Own  then,  that  God  a  just  distinction  shows, 
Between   his  faithful  friends  and  obd'rate  foes. 
Nor  dare  repeat,  but  of  this  wrong  repent, 
That,  saints  and  sinners  reap  the  same  event. 
Preserv'd  are  those,  in  Heav'n  receiv'd  to  dwell  ; 
The  ivicked  slaughter'd  and  sent  down  to  hell. 

1 8  Here,  in  this  glass,  thine  own   dear  image  view, 
Abhor  the  picture,  but  believe  it  true  ; 
And,  if  sincere,  in  what  thou  hast  express'd, 
Hate  ivicked  counsels,  and  thyself  detest, 

2 1  Since,  tho'  afflicted,  life  and  hope  remain, 
And  Mercy  smiles,  with  pardon  in  her  train  ; 

(Verse  18.)  Yet  lie  filled  their  bouses  -with  good  things  ;  but 
the  counsel  of  the  nuicked  is  far  from  me. 

In  this  verse,  Eliphaz  abruptly  and  artfully  personates  Job,, 
and  makes  him  retort  upon  himself,  his  own  words  (Chap.  xxi. 
16.)  "  Lo  their  good  is  not  in  their  hand:  the  counsel  of  the 
wicked  is  far  from  me."  Now,  after  classing  him  with  the  wick 
ed  antediluvians,  with  whom  he  symbolized  both  in  character  and 
state,  in  order  to  make  him  appear  self-inconsistent  and  ridicu 
lous,  he  represents  him  as  repeating  the  same  words  in  the  form 
of  a  pompous  boast,  "  Yet  he  filled  their  houses  with  good  things  ; 
but  the  counsel  of  the  wicked  is  far  from  me." 

(19)  Psalm  Iviii.  10.  and  Rev.  xix.  L 

(20)  Acts  xvii.  31.  and  2  Pet.  ii.  6,  7. 

(21)  Matt.  vi.  33.  and  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  115 

Since,  God  himself  invites  thee  near  his  face, 
Prepare  to  taste  the  sweetness  of  his  grace. 
Awake,  arise,  lift  up  thy  fervent  pvay'r, 
Thy  sins  renounce,  and  banish  fell  despair  ; 
Confess  thy  guilt,  accept  the  kind  release, 
Acquaint  thyself  with  God,  and  be  at  peace. 
Then,  in  thine  own  experience,  them  shalt  prove, 
The  nameless  comforts  of  Almighty  Love  ;— 
Crown'd  each  desire — all  needful  good  be  giv'n, 
The  joys  of  earth,  and  blessed  hope  of  Heav'n. 

22  Rouse,  then,  thy  senses,  to  his  voice  give  ear, 
Receive  instruction,  and  his  law  revere  ; 
Digest  it  well — hence,  right  from  wrong  discern, 
And  useful  rules  of    moral  practice  learn. 

23  Wilt  thou  return,  thy  devious  steps  retrace, 

By  which  thou  wand'redst  from  his  righteous  waysj 
Reform  the  vices  of  thy  sinful  house, 
And  to  thy  God,  perform  thy  solemn  vows  ; 
Then   shall  his  hand  rebuild  thy  ruin'd  state, 
And  rank  thee  with  the  wealthy  and  the  great  ; 

24  Wit';  sums  of  gold,  shall  fill  thy  copious  store, 
Iwrfeaps  laid  up,  like  sands  upon  the  shore  ; 
The  wealth  of  Elam,  gold  of  Ophir  thine, 

Thy  pebbles,  pearls ;  thybrookswithdiamondsshine: 

25  The  Lord  of  Heav'n  thy  strength,  and  fortress  stand. 
Increase  thy  wealth,  and  guard  thee  with  his  hand. 

26  In  Him,  thy  chief  delight,  thou  shalt  rejoice, 
To  Him  look  up,  with  thankful  heart  and  voice  ; 

(22)  Prov.  iv.  21.  (23)  Psalm  xxviu.  5. 

(24)  2  Chron.  i.  15.          (25)  Prov.  i.  4. 
(26)  Song  ii.  3.  and  1  John  iii,  21. 


116  TRIAL  OF.  VIRTUE. 

27  With  pray'r  and  praise,  his  gracious  throne  address, 
His  ear  attend,  and  thy  obedience  bless. 

38  Thy  schemes  all  prosper'd,  nor  a  wish  deny'd, 
And  light  divine  thy  peaceful  path  shall  guide. 

39  Thy  pray'r  of -faith  shall    save  the  humble  soul, 
Raise  the  depress'd,  and  make  the  broken  whole, 
Th'  afflicted  comfort,  succor  the  oppress'd, 
Confirm  the  weak,  and  give  the  weary  rest. 

50  At  home,  abroad,  where'er  thy  lot  shall  be, 
In  barb'rous  climes,  or  islands  of  the  sea  ; 
His  hand  shall  keep  tbee,  ev'ry  ill  remove, 
Point  out  thy  path,  thy  virtuous  ways  approve. 
Should  foes  invade,  and  storms  the  land  o'erspread, 
A  faithful  God  will  guard  thy  path  and  bed  ; 
The  wicked  save,  in  answer  to  thy  pray'r, 

.     And  grant  deliv'rance,  for  his  child  is  there. 

JOB. 
XXIII.  No  further  seek  to  injure  my  repose 


This  is  the  acme — key-stone  of  my  woes. 

(Verse  30.)  He  shall  delitxr  the  island  of  the  innocent,  or,  the 
innocent  shall  deliver  the  island,  as  it  would  be  more  intelligibly 
rendered.  Eliphaz  here  recognizes  this  interesting  scripture  doc 
trine,  that  the  wicked  are  often  saved  from  impending  calami 
ties,  for  the  sake  of  the  righteous  among  them,  and  in  answer  to 
their  prayers.  A  memorable  example  of  this  we  have  in  the  his 
tory  of  Hezekiah,  when,  at  the  time  of  a  very  formidable  inva 
sion  of  Jerusalem,  in  answer  to  his  intercession,  the  angel  of  the 
Lord,  in  one  night,  smote  dead,  an  hundred  and  eighty  five  thou 
sand  of  the  Syrians.  Isaiah  xxxv.  36. 

(27)  Isaiah  Iviii.  9.         (28)  Psalm  5.  3. 

(29)  James  iv.  6.  (20)  Eccl.  ix.  14.  &  James  v.  16. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  117 

Words  are  but  wind,  and  sighs  and  groans  are  vain, 
Nor  men,  nor  angels  can  express  my  pain. 
The  bitt'rest  wailings  e'er  by  mortals  heard, 
Are  mirth,  are  music,  with  my  griefs  compar'd. 

3  Oh,  could  I  find  the  object  of  my  love, 

The  God  of  grace,  who  reigns  enthron'd  above  1 
Might  I  approach  with  nearness  of  access, 
And  spread  my  injur'd  cause  before  his  face  ; — 

4  How  would  I  burn  with  ardor  of  desire  ! 
What  hope  and  confidence  my  soul  inspire  ! 
How  warmly  prosecute  the  great  appeal ! 
What  cogent  arguments  my  mcuth  should  fill  ! 

3  Nor  would  I  plead  unheeded  and  in  vain, 
My  supplication  should  an  answer  gain  ; 
His  word  decisive,  I  would  wait  to  hear, 
Then  banish  doubt,  and   bid  adieu  to  fear. 

6       Would  He,  like  yo.u,  exult  in  my  distress, 
And  shew  his   greatness,  by  his  want  of  grace  ? 
Would  He,  in  anger,  break  the  bruised  reed  ? 
Indignant  spurn  me  suppliant,  while  I  plead  ? 
Display  his  mighty  pow'r,  in  fire  and  storm, 
And  swell  his  thunder,  to  affright  a — worm  ? 

(Verse  2.)  Even  to  day  is  my  complaint  bitter  ,•  my  strode  is  hea 
vier  than  my  groaning. 

By  the  unfounded  charges  of  Eliphaz,  in  the  last  chapter,  the 
distress  of  Job  seems  now  to  be  carried  to  its  highest  pitch.  Ut 
terly  despairing  of  all  comfort  from  creatures,  he  longs  to  appear 
before  God  in  confidence  of  his  mercy.  The  expression  he  here 
uses,  is  so  strong,  and  so  clearly  communicates  the  idea  of  his  suf- 
fmngs  beyond  all  description,  cither  of  words  or  groans,  that  it  is 
thought  to  justify  the  figures  introduced  in  the  paraphrase. 

(3)  Song  iii.  1,  2.  (4)  Luke  vi.  45. 

(5)  Psalm  li.  4.  (6)  Isaiah  Ivii.  16.  &  Mai.  iii.  17. 


118  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

I'll  not  believe,  nor  heed  the  vile  report, 
There  dwells  no  tyrant  in  my  Father's  court  ; 
His  mercy  would  my  trembling  steps  sustain, 
My  weakness  strengthen,  and  relieve  my  pain  ; 
With  his  own  Spirit  quicken  my  desires, 
And  grant  the  pray'r,  which  He  himself  inspires. 
Thus  blest  with  pardon,  and  from  wrath  secure, 
His  sovereign  mercy  would  my  peace  ensure. 
7  Infinite  grace  and  goodness  all  his  own, 
Invite  his  sons  and  fav'rites  near  his  throne  ; 
The  righteous  there,  with  boldness  intercede, 
Spread  all  their  wants,  his  cov'nant-mercy  plead  j 
With  pray'r  unwearied,  urge  their  ceaseless  suit, 
And,  for  their  Maker's  glory,  e'en  dispute. 
I,  9       But  whelm'd  in  darkness  and  distress,  I'm  lest 
In  anxious  fears — with  vain  desires  am  toss'd. 

(Verses  8,  9.)  Behold  I  go  forward,  but  He  is  not  there  ;  and 
backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  Lim  ;  On  the  left  hand  where 
He  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold  him  ;  lie  hideth  himself  en 
the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see  him. 

It  is  believed  that  the  locakterms  here  used,  have,  each,  a 
figurative  and  appropriate  significance — that  far-ward  and  back- 
luarJ,  mean  prophecy  and  history — and  left-hand  and  right-hand, 
nature  and  grace,  or  the  works  of  creation  and  redemption. — 
Hence,  the  propriety  of  those  words  of  the  Psalmist. — In  thy 
light,  shall  we  see  light.  "Unaided  reason  labors  in  vain."  It 
is  only  by  the  teachings  of  God's  Spirit,  that  we  ever  behold  his 
glory  and  rejoice  in  his  works — denied  these,  the  child  of  God  is 
in  total  darkness. 

(7)  Heb.  ix.  24.  and  x.  22. 

(8)  Acts  xvii.  27,  and  1  Tim.  vi-  16. 

(9)  Psalm  xliv.  24. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  lit) 

Hud  is  my  state,  an  absent  God  I  mourn, 
And  wait,  with  longing  eyes,  his  kind  return. 
Where  shall  I  find  Him,  where,  oh,  where,  I  cry  ; 
Or  here,  or  there,  or  distant,  far,  or  nigh  ? 
Incessant  is  my  search,  by  day,  by  night, 

Before,  behind,  upon  the  left  and  rip, 'it 

I  trace,  far  back,  his  woncProus  works  of  old, 
Then  forward,   those  his  promise  hath  foretold  ; 
O'er  Nature's  field,  with  hasty  steps  I   rove, 
Next,  view  the  wonders  of  Redeeming  Love  ;— . 
I  search  in  vain — my  feeble  pow'rs  are  spent, 
My  hopes  all  baffled,  and  my  heart  is  faint. 
My  God  I  find  not,  He  withholds  his  grace, 
And  hides  the  brightness  of  his  smiling  face. 

Yet  still,  He  knows  my  way,    my  path  directs, 
And  from  the  snaree  of  death  and  hell  protects. 
Refin'd  by  trials,  I'll  come  forth  at  last, 
"  Than  gold,  more  pure,  which  hath  the  furnace 
pass'd." 

1 1  For  in  the  path  of  truth,  I  ever  ran, 

Nor  shunn'd  my  duty  e'er  to  God,  or  man— 

12  His  law  I  lov'd,  as  holy,  just  and  good  ; 

To  me,  his  word  was  sweeter  than  my  food  ; 

(Verse  10. )     But  He  knovcetb  the   uay   that   I  take,  when  Jfe 

bath  tried  me  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold. 

Faith  in  the  universal  providence  and  covenant   promise*  of- 
Ccd,  is  the  firm  and  only  support  to   his   children  under  all  their 
afflictions  and  trials  ; — but  for  these,  they  must  faint  and  sink. 
"  I  had  fainred,"   said  the  Psalmist,    "  unless   I    had  believed  to 
see  the  y>odness  of  the  Lord  in  the    land  of  the  living.  (27.  13  ) 
if  the  foundations  be  destroyed,  what  can  the  righteous  do  ?" 
(10)  Psalm  Ixvi.  10.         (11)  2  Tim.  iv.  10.  &  Rev.  ii.  13. 
(12)  Psalm  cxix.  72.  and  John  Lv.  32. 


120  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

*Hence  truth  from  falsehood,  right  from  wrong  dls 

ceni'd, 

And  useful  rules  of  moral  practice  learu'd. 
These  have  I  kept  with  constant  hand  and  heart : 
These  will  I  keep,  and  from  them  ne'er  depart. 

13  Still  God's  a  sov'reign,  and  He  rules  alone, 
Who  shall  control  the  orders  of  his  throne  ? 
Unchangeable  his  will,  his  pow'r  supreme, 
His  purpose  fixt,  eternal  is  his  scheme  ; 
Whate'er  his  will  decrees,  his  hand  performs, 
And  ev'ry  change  in  angels,  men  and  worms. 

14  His  wisdom  metes  my  pleasures  and  my  pains, 
And  all  I  act  or  suffer,  He  ordains. 

1  5       These  thoughts,  my  soul  with  fear  and  rev'rent 

fill, 

I  bow  submissive  to  his  sov'reign  will  ; 
Hush  ev'ry  murmur,  each  fond  wish  resign, 
And  reap  content,  if  but  the  Lord  be  mine. 

16  Yet  faints  my  heart — my  strength  his  frowns  de 

vour  ; 
I  fear  bis  greatness,  tremble  at  his  pow'r. 

17  But,  for  this  darksome  scene,  I've  been  reserv;l; 
My  life  upheld,  my  mingled  portion  carv'tl. 

Oh,  had  preventing  death  obscuv'd  my  sight, 
And  seal'd  my  eye-lids,  in  eternal  night  ; 
From  living  death  exempt,   how  sweet  to  have 
An  ark  of  safety  in  the  peaceful  grave  1 

*  See  Chap,  xxii:  22. 

(13)  Rom.  ix,  19. 

(14)  1  Thess.  iii.  3.  (15)  Hab.  iii.  16. 
(16)  Isaiah.  Ivii.  16.  (17)  Isaiah  Ivii.  1. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  ui 

XXIV.  Since,  to  th'  omniscient  God  is  fully  known, 
Whate'cr  in  Heav'n,  or  Earth,  or  Hell  is  done  ; 
Th'  extended  universe  before  Him  lies, 
In  open  vision  to  his  piercing;  eyes  ; 
This  myst'ry,  yet  unsolv'd,  to  me  explain, 
Why  do  the  wicked,  or  their  works  remain  ? 
If  He  be  holy,  and  regard  the  just, 
Why  do  not  they,  in  Him,  who  place  their  trust, 
Behold  due  vengeance  pour'd  upon  his  foes, 
And  bless  the  hand, which  allthcir  pride  o'erthrows? 
This,  thou  declard'st,  but  facts  thy  words  disprove, 
And  leave  us  doubting  of  his  hate  or  love. 

2  See,  yonder  miser,  with  his  face  conceal'd, 
Remove  the  land-mark  of  his  neighbor's  field. 

He  fears,  indeed — yet  whom  ? — not  God,  but  man  ; 
Hence,  creeps  in  twilight,  to  effect  his  plan. 
While  some,  by  open  violence  and  force, 
Plunder  whole  flocks,   and  feed  without  remorse  ; 

3  The  orphan's  palfrey,  without  rightvdistrain, 
And  hold  in  pledge,  the  widow's  ox  for  gain. 

4  Driv'n  from  the  path  of  duty  and  of  right, 
The  needy  poor  are  forc'd  to  shun  their  sight  ; 
From  their  destroyers  haste  to  flee  away, 
And  hide  in  caverns,  as  from  beasts  of  prey. 

5  Turn  next,  and  view  a  wild  and  savage  b:*u.!, 
Who  flee  the  face,  imbrute  the  name  of  man  ; 
On  mischief  bent  against  all  human  kind, 

In  plans  of  rapine,  each  and  all  combin'd  ; 

(Chap  xxiv.  1.)  Psalm  xxxi.  15. 
(2)  Deut.  xix  14.  Prov.  xxii.  28.  and  Hosea  v.  10. 
(;">)  1  Sara.  xii.  '3.  (4)  Prov.  xxx.  14. 

(5)  Prov.  iv.  16. 

Ju 


122  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

By  gloom  of  night,  before  the  dawn  of  day, 
Greedy  they  rise,  and  rove  abroad  for  prey  ; 
In  darksome  wilds,  near  crossing  paths  they  hide. 
Despoil  the  trav'ler,  and  his  goods  divide. 
Thus  ban-en  deserts,  like  a  cultur'd  field, 
Food,  to  themselves  and  to  their  children,  yield  ; 

6  From  others'  harvest,  from  the  wicked's  vine, 
They  reap  their  bread,  and  press  their  stolen  wine. 

7  Nor  friend,  nor  foe,  nor  rich,  nor  poor,  they  spare, 
But  fleece  the  needy  of  the  rags  they  wear  ; 
While  warm'd  with  clothes  they  plunder'd  from  the 

poor, 

Unpitied,  these  sleep  naked  on  the  floor  ; 
3  In  ragged  wretchedness,  forlorn  they  roam, 

Hungry  and  barefoot,  destitute  of  home  ; 

Chill'cl  by  the  winter,  dripping  with  the  storm, 

In  hollow  rocks  they  seek  a  shelter  warm. 
9      Miscreants !   who  kidnap  from  the  widow's  breast, 

Enslave  the  poor,  nor  pity  the  distress'd, 

10  Who  naked  walk,  oppress'd  without  relief, 
Reap  clown  their  fields,  yet  hunger  for  a  sheaf ; 

1 1  Unpaid,  unfed,  compell'd  to  serve  their   lords, 
As  slaves  they  toil,  as  slaves  deny'd  rewards  ; — 
At  ease  reclin'd,  those  while  the  hours  away  ; 
Dragging,  in  druclg'ry,  these  the  livelong  day, 
Fainting  thro'  hunger,  black  with  heat  and  dust, 
Tread  out  their  presses,  and  yet  suffer  thirst. 

12  To  whips  and  tortures,  groans  responsive  rise, 
Wounds  flow  with  blood,  the  city's  fill'cl  with  cries  ; 

(6)  James  v.  4.  (7}  Deut.  xxiv.  12,  13. 

(8)  Heb.  xi.  31.  (9)  Hosea  x.  14.  &  1  Tim.  vi.  1C 

(1  )  Deut.  xxv.  4.         (11^  Jer.  xxii.  13. 

(12)  Psalm  I,  21.  Eccl.  viii.  11.  &  Mai.  ii.  17. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  123 

Their  eyes,  to  Heav'n,  the  suff'ring  victims  raise, 
God  sees  their  wrongs,  and  yet  his  wrath  delays  ; 
Still  virtue  suffers,  nor  is  justice  nigh, 
The  wicked  triumph,  raise  their  heads  on  high  ; 
The  bloody  game  goes  on,  no  thunder  rolls, 
No  light'nings  blaze  to  blast  their  guilty  souls. 

13  Cheerful  and  bold,  and  unrestrain'd,  they  sin, 
No  fear  without,  and  no  remorse  within  ; 
Against  God's  law  and  government  rebel, 
And  track  with  eager  steps  the  road  to  hell. 

14  The  ruffian,  waking  with  the  morning  light,. 
Murders  by  clay,  and  acts  the  thief  at  night. 

15  Th'  adult'rer,  rising  as  the  sun  goes  down, 
Waits  for  the  moment  when  the  day  is  gone  ; 
Then,  skulks  in  twilight,  with  disguised  face, 
And  says,  "  no  eye  shall  witness  my  disgrace." 

16  These  sons  of  darkness,  ruffians,  lechers,  thieves, 
Dig  into  houses,  by  their  sills,  or  eaves  ; 
Which,  mark'd  for  mischief,  by  the  light  of  day, 
Like  wolves  they  enter,  for  their  midnight  prey. 

17  Their  light  is  darkness,  fearing  to  be  caught, 

And  scourg'd  by  justice,   for  the  crimes  they've 

wrought  ; 

To  them,  death's   shadow  is  the  morning's  bloom, 
The  conscious  eye,  the  terrors  of  the  tomb. 

1 8  Swift  as  the  rapid  stream,  they  glide  away, 
By  fear  impell'd  to  shun  the  face  of  day  ; 
In  dreary  haunts  accurs'd  of  God  and  man, 
They  drag  the  remnant  of  their  wretched  span. 

(13)  John  iii.  20.  (15)  Matt.v   27, 

(16)  Jer.  viii.  7.  (17)  Gen.  xxxviii.  23. 

(18)  1  Kings  xxi.  1. 


124  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Domestic  comforts,  sweets  of  social  life, 
The  joys  of  home,  of  children,  friends  and  wife  ; 
The  waving  harvest  of  the  cultur'd  fields, 
And  cheering  nectar  which  the  vintage  yields  ; 
To  them,  unknown,  untasted,  fruit  forbidden, 
As  erst,  to  Adam,  was  the  tree  of  Eden. 
Unpunish'd  still,  in  sin  they  persevere, 
And  end,  in  folly's  course,  their  mad  career. 

19  As  wastes  the  snow,  the  melting  sun  beneath, 
They  sink  to  rest,  and  sweetly  sleep  in  death. 

20  As  the  tall  oak,  in  lonely  desert  found, 

By  age  decay'd,  falls  prostrate  to  the  ground  : 
The  w'.«  keel  sink  tho'  high  their  greatness  towVd", 
By  friends  forgotten,  and  by  worms  devour'd. 
3 1   Tho'  plagues  they  liv'd,  the  scourge  of  human  life, 
Vexing  the  widow  and  the  barren  wife  ; 

22  The  rich  and  mighty  in  their  snares   embrac'd, 
And  all  around,  with  fears  of  death,  distress'd  ; 

23  Theirselves  secure  and  safe,  while  virtue  bleeds — . 
Yet,  God  in  Heaven,  records  their  impious  deeds  ; 
Hereafter,  all  their  mischief  will  disclose, 

And  doom  their  guilty  souls  to  endless  woes. 

24  Exalted  now,  they  fear  no  evils  nigh, 

But  short  their  triumph — soon  they  gasp  and  die  j 
Fall  like  the  righteous,  and  are  swept  away, 
Mown  down  like  corn-fields,  on  the  harvest  day. 

25  This  view  is  truth — if,  not,  then  dare  reply  ; 
Disprove  my  reas'ning,  and  charge  home  the  lie. 

(19)  Psalm  xlix.  14. 

(20)  Psalm  xxxvii.  36.  civ.  35.  and  Prov.  x.  7. 

(21)  Obad.  12.  (22)  Esther  iii  8.  and  Rev.  xvi.  14.  & 
xvii.  2,  3.             (23)  Psalm  xiv.  4.  and  Hab.  i.  12. 

(24)  Psalm  xxxvii.  2.  xxxix.  5.  lv.  23.  and  Luke  xii.  20. 

(25)  2  Cor.  i.  24. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  125 

BILDAD. 

XXV.    How  vast  the  empire  of  the  Most  High  God  ! 
Wide  as  his  pow'r,  his  fear  is  spread  abroad. 
Angels  He  rules,   in  harmony  and  love, 
And  by  his  hand,  the  stars  concordant  move. 

(Verse  2.)  He  mdketb  peace  in  his  high  places. 
This  refers  either  to  the  holy  angels — or  to  the  material  hea 
venly  bodies — or  both.  Among  all  those  myriads  of  holy  intel 
ligences,  there  is  perfect  order,  harmony  and  peace.  They  are 
all  submission  to  his  will,  and  faithful  devotedr.ess  to  his  service, 
standing  monuments  of  the  divine  character,  as  a  God  of  love, 

of  order  and  peace. The  material  heavenly  bodies,  display 

the  infinite  wisdom  and  power  of  their  Creator,  who  made,  up 
holds  and  directs  them.  Those  vast  bodies,  innumerable  to  us, 
are  rolling  globes,  constantly  revolving  in  their  respective  orbits, 
in  every  direction  ;  and  yet,  by  the  guidance  of  divine  skill,  their 
mystic  dance,  from  age  to  age,  is  continued  in  perfect  order  and 
harmony,  and  without  the  least  confusion  or  interference. — In 
these,  says  Bildad,  behold  the  greatness,  majesty  and  wisdom  of 
God  in  his  works — thence  be  humbled  under  thy  own  insignifi 
cance  and  weakness,  and  believe,  with  assurance,  his  wisdom 
fully  adequate  to  the  direction  of  all  the  affairs  and  changes 
of  this  lower  world. 

This  short  speech  of  Bildad  closes  the  debate  on  the  part  of 
Job's  three  friends,  and  is  executed  in  a  very  masterly  man 
ner.  Though  concisely  drawn,  it  embosoms  a  world  of  ideas, 
and  its  sentiments  are  inimitably  grand  and  sublime.  It  vir 
tually  contains  all  the  arguments  of  essential  weight,  that  had 
been  advanced  to  Job  in  the  course  of  the  debate,  and  by  its 
candor,  conciseness,  and  comprehension,  appears 'well  calcula 
ted  for  the  closing  plea.  It  seems  an  implied  concession  to  Job., 
and  a  candid  though  silent  relinquishment  of  the  dispute  ;  as  it 

(2)  Mat.  xviii.  18.  Rev.  vi.  16.  and  Col.  i.  20. 
L  2 


:ie  night, -j 

light,      I 

:  sio;ht.    j 


126  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3  The  Lord  of  hosts,  in  Heav'n,  in  Earth  and  Hell, 
The  number  of  his  armies  who  can  tell  ? 
CREATOR,  KEEPER,  BENEFACTOR,  LORD  ; 
Life,  light  and  glory  wait  his  sov'reign  word. 
Swifter  than  sun-beams,  boundless  as  the  skies, 
His  active  Providence  each  want  supplies. 

4  How  then  shall  man,  a  creature  of  the  dust, 
With  Him  compare,  or  with  his  God  be  just  ? 
Vain  man  ;  by  pride  begot — conceiv'd  in  sin— 
Of  woman  born  ;  can  he  be  pure  and  clean  ? 

5  Behold  the  silver  moon,  that  cheers  the  night, 
And  stars,  that  glitter  with  refulgent 
Before  Him  fade,  and  vanish  from  the 

6  What  then  is  man — a  fading,  blighted  flow'r, 
An  earthy  atom,  void  of  grace  or  pow'r  ? 
Be  humble,  O  thou  child  of  mortal  breath  ; 
In  life,  a  worm — the  food  of  worms  at  death. 

touches  only  upon  general  objects,  and  has  no  special  applica 
tion  to  the  particular  point,  then  in  litigation.  It  seems  to  have 
made  this  impression  upon  Job,  who,  in  his  reply,  takes  advan 
tage,  with  some  severity,  of  this  want  of  application. — It  is  evi 
dent,  that  Bildad,  however  he  might  feel  more  candidly  dispos 
ed  towards  Job,  generally  ;  yet  viewed  him  as  deficient  in  hu 
mility,  and  his  speech  was  well  directed  to  inspire  him  with  it. 
Clear  and  striking  displays  of  the  greatness,  power  and  majesty 
of  God,  are  the  most  powerful  means  to  instruct  and  humble 
his  people,  and  to  support  and  comfort  them  under  their  heavi 
est  afflictions.  These  are  the  means  invariably  used  in  the  holy 
scriptures,  the  great  source  of  all  instruction  and  comfort. — Of 
this,  the  result  of  this  sacred  drama,  and  the  40th  chapter  of 
Isaiah  afford  very  striking  and  interesting  specimens. 

(3)  Gen.  ii.  1.  and  James  i.  17. 

(4)  Rom.  lit.  25,  (6)  Psalm  xxii.  «. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  13T 

JOB. 

XXVI.  What  thanks  to  thee  are  due,  enlight'ning  sage  ! 
Pompous  declaimer,  guide  of  youth  and  age  ! 
How  hath  thy  speech  laconic,  truth  evolv'd, 
My  weakness  strengthen'd,  and  my  doubts  resolv'd  \ 

3  What  food  to  babes,  to  fools  what  wisdom  giv'n, 
Their  thoughts  to  raise,  from  earth  and  sense,  t» 

Heav'n  ! 

WThat  art  mysterious  !  by  what  magic  touch, 
Can  words,  so  few,  be  made  to  say  so  much  ! 

4  Yet,  deign  to  solve,  if  not  too  hard  the  task, 
This  single  question,  which  I  fain  would  ask—* 
To  whom  didst  t/iou  thy  speech  sublime  direct  ? 
Thy  friends,  or  me  ?  their  cause.)  or  mine  protect  ? 
To  this,  nor  that,  thy  reas'ning  will  apply, 

Both  stand  in  doubt,  to  grant,  or  to  deny  ; 
Indiff'rent  each,  which  way  soe'er  believ'd, 
In  either  case,  nor  help,  nor  harm's  receiv'd. 
Tho'  grant  we  true,  the  whole  thy  tongue  hath  saidj 
What  follows,  then  ?— no  inf 'rence  can  be  made, 
Nor  other  doctrine,  thence,  but  this,  confirmed, 
That  passion  rules,  when  reason  is  disarm'd. 

5  From  the  same  argument,  as  well  may'st  prove, 

That  man  is  not  beneath  his  Maker's  love 

But  give  thy  soaring  muse  a  downward  flight, 
From  orbs  celestial  to  the  realms  of  night ; 
See  how  his  pow'r  and  providence  apply 

To  things  below,  no  less  than  things  on  high. 
That  God  is  great  and  high,  who  questions  ?— -still, 
Things  small  and  low  are  ordev'd  by  his  will. 


128  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Min'rals  and  metals,  pearls  and  treasures  laid 
In  ocean's  dark  abyss,  his  hand  hath  made  ; 
Dragons  and  monsters  of  the  briny  deep, 
His  pow'r  created,  and  his  orders  keep 

6  Devils  and  spirits  damn'd  are  in  his  chain, 
And  naked  to  his  view  the  burning  main. 

7  His  curtains  o'er  the  mighty  void  he  strung, 
And  the  vast  globe,  on  airy  nothing  hung. 

8  By  him  the  cisterns  of  the  sky  are  bound. 

In  clouds  condens'd,  and  borne  by  winds  around  ; 
By  swathing  bands  restrain'd,  as  with  a  girth, 
In  drops  are  sifted  on  the  parched  earth. 

9  With  vapors  dark,  He  spreads  the  shades  of  ev'n, 
Removes  the  day,  and  veils  the  face  of  Heav'n  ; 

10  The  threat'ning  waves  encircles  with  the  shore, 
Till  rolling  suns  shall  rise  and  set  no  more. 

1 1  By  his  command  tremendous  thunders  roll, 
And  shake  the  solid  earth  from  pole  to  pole. 
The  cloud-capt  pillars  of  the  vaulted  sky, 
Reeling  with  earthquakes,  own  their  maker  nigh. 

12  His  pow'rful  voice,  whirlwinds  and  storms  obey, 
And  gaping  waves  now  cleave  the  boist'rous  sea. 
Th'  affrighted  sailors,  surging  o'er  the  tide, 
With  shatter'd  bark,  relief  and  hope  deny'd, 
Now  feel  their  weakness,  own  his  mighty  pow'r, 
And,  with  their  treasures,  sink  to  rise  no  more. 

(6)  Prov.  xv.  11. 

(7)  Psalm  xxiv.  2. 

(8)  Prov.   xxx.   4. 

(9)  Isaiah  Ixvi.  1.  and  Psalm  civ.  5. 

(10)  Chap,  xxxviii.  8.  and  Rev.  xxi.  23. 

(11)  2  Pet.  in.  10,  (12)  Jer.  ix.  3S. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  129 

13  Butlo!  fresh  wonders  meet  th'  astonish'd  view, 
His  wind  the  clouds  dispels — the  sky  is  blue  ; 
The  starry  pavement  of  the  heav'ns  is  fair, 
And  wreathy  serpents  bask,  in  open  air. — 

1 4  These  are  his  ways — how  wond'rous  they  appear  1 
Yet,  of  his  works,  how  small  a  part  we  hear  1 
How  great  the  whole  !  the  thunder  of  his  pow'r, 
Nor  tongue  can  tell,  nor  angel's  mind  explore. 

'(Verse  13.)     By  his  spirit  be  hath  garnished  the  Heavens  ;  bis 
band  hath  formed  the  crooked  serpent. 

The  first  clause  of  this  verse  admits  of  two  different  senses  ; 
as  the  original  word  Spiritus,  is  used  to  signify  either,  spirit, 
breath,  or  wind.  The  phrase  here  means,  either,  1.  That  God, 
by  the  creating  power  of  his  spirit,  hath  made  and  disposed  the 
Stars,  and  thus  decorated  th?  visible  heavens — or,  2.  (If  spirit 
here  be  taken  for  wind} — It  means  his  providential  agency  in  dis 
pelling  the  clouds,  which  darken  the  sky,  and  hide  the  sun, 
moon  and  stars  from  mortal  sight — thus  changing  the  tempest 
into  a  calm,  and  garnishing  the  heavens,  by  giving  us  a  fresh 
view  of  those  glorious  luminaries.  This  latter  sense  is  chosen 
in  the  paraphrase,  because  of  its  connection  with  the  preceding 
verse,  in  which  it  is  thought  that  a  sea-storm  is  alluded  to — yet 
which  was  the  primary  sense  of  the  inspired  writer,  is  not  per 
fectly  clear. — 

The  last  clause  of  the  verse,  his  hand  hath  formed  the  crooks  d 
terpent,  Commentators  have  still  more  ingeniously  diversified 
and  obscured,  by  their  differing  interpretations.  According  to 
ME RCERUS,  it  is  a  thunderbolt,  which  darts  from  heaven  in  the 
crooked  form  of  a  serpent,  and  yet  with  a  sure  direction  to  its 
object.  BOCHART,  upon  the  animals  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  will 
have  it  to  mean  some  beautiful  star  or  constellation,  known  to 
the  Syrians  ;  such  as  either  the  Dragon  ;  or  the  Galaxy  or  Milky, 
wajf,  which  are  serpentine  hither  form. — Others  understand  by  it 

(13)  Isaiah  xxvii.  1. 


159  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

XX\rII.  As  God  my  Maker  lives,  and  reigns  on  high, 
Beneath  whose  frowns,  in  deep  distress  I  lie  ; 
Who,  from  my  soul,  his  wonted  grace  withdraws, 
Darkens  my  path,  uor  pleads  my  injur'd  cause  ; 
Midst  all  the  pains,  my  flesh  and  heart  endure, 
My  mind  is  peaceful,  and  my  conscience  pure. 
3.  While,  draw  these  heaving  lungs,  the  vital  breath, 
And  till  these  eyes  are  clos'd  in  silent  death  ; 

4  My  lips  shall  ne'er  the  cause  of  truth  belie, 
My  faith  and  hope  I  never  will  deny. 

5  Forbid  it,  Heav'n,  that  I  should  e'er  concede, 
Or  justify  the  wicked  cause  you  plead. 

With  purpose  fixt,  while  life   and  breath  are  mine, 
The  claim  of  virtue  I  will  ne'er  resign, 

6  Unstain'd  with  crimes,  to  Heav'n,  my  hands  I  raise? 
God  knows  my  heart,  and  will  approve  my  ways  ; 

the  Zodiac,  or  the  Angttis  near  Arcturus,  or  the  Hydra  near  Leo.— 
Lastly,  others  believe  it  to  mean  some  sea-monster,  which  rolls 
and  wreaths  itself  like  a  serpent  in  the  sea,  and  which,  from  its 
immense  le.igth,  is  called  the  sea-snake,  or  dragon  :  See  Isaiah, 
xxvii.  1. — This  latter  sense  is  chosen,  because  it  is  the  most  literal 
and  obvious,  and  because  the  verse  will  then  display,  in  a  collec 
tive  view,  the  power  and  providence  of  God,  both  in  heaven 
and  earth. 

(Verse  6.)     My  keart  shall  not  reproach  me,  so  long  as  I  live. 

Tkb  is  the  language  of  humble  sincerity,  and  not  of  ostentatious 
boasting  ;  and  what  lustre  doth  it  add  to  the  character  of  Job  ! 
Noble  resolution  !  Deserving  to  be  written  in  letters  of  gold. 
How  worthy  of  universal  esteem  and  imitation  !  An  unsullied 

(2)  Psalm  5x.  4.  and  xxxvii.  6. 

(3)  Acts  xvii.  25.  (4)  Zeph.  iii.  13. 

(5)  Gal   ii.  11.  and  2  Cor,  i.  12, 

(6)  Acts  xxiv.  16- 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  131 

To  this  blest  hope  and  confidence  I'll  cleave, 
Nor  shall  my  heart  re/iroach  me  while  I  live. 

7  The  charge  of  wickedness  advanc'd  belongs 
To  bitter  foes,  who  load  my  soul  with  wrongs  ; 
And  he  who  seeks  to  blot  my  honest  fame, 
Than  hypocrite,  deserves  no  better  name. 

8  For,  what  his  hope,  that's  founded  on  the  sand  ? 
Can  it  abide,  the  chast'ning  of  His  hand  ? 
What  solace  give,  in  darkness,  or  in  death, 
When  God  removes  his  comforts,  or  his  breath  ? 
His  splendid  gains  are  but  laborious  loss, 

And  all  his  tinsel'd  gold  now  turns  to  dross. 

9  Can  his  false  heart  to  cov'nant  mercy  fly  ? 
Oppress'd  with  ills,  will  God  regard  his  cry  ? 

10  Will  the  enjoyment  of  his  Father's  love, 
Hi*  light  in  darkness,  and  his  comfort  prove  ? 
On  pray'r  will  he,  with  constancy,  attend, 
And  persevere  in  duty,  to  the  end  ? 

These  are  my  joys — my  wcrk — my  hope — my  trust; 
Then,  own  your  charges  groundless  and  unjust. 

1 1  The  ways  of  God,  by  much  experience  taught, 
I'll  truly  teach  you,  what  his  hands  have  wrought  j 

•onscience  is  the  only  source  of  felicity  and  glory  to  man.  It  is 
our  honor  in  prosperity — our  comfort  in  affliction — our  happiness 
in  life,  and  our  triumph  in  death.  True  religion  is,  in  its  nature, 
happiness,  and  deserves  to  be  chosen  and  embraced,  were  it  only 
for  its  present  pleasures.  "  Wisdom's  ways  are  pleasantness,  and 
all  her  paths  peace." 

(7)  2  Sam.  xviii.  32.  (8)  Luke  xx  20. 

(9)  Prov.  i.  28.  (10)  Psalm  kxviii.  34. 

(11)  Luke  xii.  32. 


132  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

The  secret  counsels  of  his  will  reveal, 
Nor  hide  his  wisdom,  nor  his  truth  conceal. 

12  All  these  you've  seen,  enough  to  make  you  wise  ; 

View  my  example,  ope  your  closed  eyes 

Why  walk  ye  blindfold  thus,  in  clearest  light, 
And  fear  no  danger,  but  of  being  right  ? 

13  'Tis  true  I  grant,  by  God,  the  Avise  and  just, 
Th'  oppressor's  portion  often  is  accurs'd  ; 
Wormwood  and  gall  his  cup  disgustful  blend, 
While  plagues  unnumber'd,  to  his  race  descend. 
His  hopes  and  joys  all  vanish  like  a  dream, 

His  offspring,  riches,  safety,  houses,  fame. 

14  His  children,  num'rous  as  the  drops  of  dew, 
The  wasting  sword  and  famine  shall  pursue  ; 

15  The  wretched  remnant  find  their  exit  near, 
Nor  shall  their  lonely  widows  drop  a  tear. 

1 6  What,  tho'  his  hand  amass  a  countless  store 
Of  silver,  heap'd  like  sands  upon  the  shore  ; 
His  spacious  wardrobe  glitter  to  the  view, 
With  richest  vestments,  purple,  gold  and  blue  ? 

1 7  He  may  prepare,  this  work  his  hands  employ, 

And  he  may  see  it but  shall  ne'er  enjoy  ; 

The  humble  righteous  shall  his  silver  share, 
And  naked  innocence  his  raiment  wear. 

18  Frail  as  the  spider's  snare,  his  house  he  builds, 
Or  like  the  shepherd's  booth,  in  sylvan  fields  ; 

19  In  death  he  sinks,  but  not  t'  unconscious  rest  ; 
He  dies,  but  ne'er  is  gather'd  with  the  bless'd. 

(12)  Psalm  iv.  2.  (13)  Rev.vi.  17. 

(14)  Esther  ix.  10.  (15)  Prov.  x.7-  &  Psa.  Ixxviii.64. 

6)  Hab.  ii.  6  &  Luke  xii.  18,  19. 

17)  Prov.  xxviii.  8.       (18)  Matt.  vii.  27. 

19)  2  Kings  xxii.  20.  and  Psalm  xxxvii.  36. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  153 

One  longing  look  he  casts  upon  his  store, 
Then  shuts  his  eyes — and  gasps — and  is  no  more. 
"20   While  thick'ning  terrors,  like  the  surging  wave, 
And  wruth  of  Heav'n,  pursue  him  to  the  grave. 
His  soul  anticipates  his  fiery  doom, 
And  tastes  the  horrors  of  the  world  to  come. 
21,22  He  dreads  the  tempest,  shrieks  with  wild  affright, 
Shrinks  from  his  Judge,  but  can't  elude  his  sight, 
Nor  'scape  his  wrath,  nor  suffer,  nor  withstand. 
Nor  flee  away  from  his  avenging  hand. 
Too  late  to  cry,  he  looks  around  aghast, 
His  day  of  mercy  now  for  ever  past, 
He  groans  farewel,  to  life,  to  hope  and  Heav'n, 
And  clown  to  darkness  and  despair  is  driv'n.— - 
23  No  ray  of  hope  his  anguish  can  assuage, 

Men  clap  thtir  hands,  and  hiss  him  from  the  stage. 

(Verse    19.)     The  rich  man  shall  lie  3dvmt  but  Le  shall  not  be 

gathered. 

This  form  of  expression  is  peculiar  to  the  sacred  writings,  and 
is  therefore  carefully  preserved  in  the  paraphrase.  To  be  "  ga 
thered  to  their  people,"  is  an  appropriate  description  of  the 
righteous  dead,  and  it  is  believed  to  be,  in  no  one  instance  appli 
ed  to  the  -wicked  character — but,  the  rich  man  licih  down,  and 
shall  not  be  gathered.  The  present  is  a  mingled  state.  The  right 
eous  and  the  wicked  are  associated — the  wheat  and  the  tares 
•TTOW  together — but,  at  death,  they  will  be  eternally  separated, 
und  kindred  souls  alone  will  be  associated.  Christ  will  then 
«'  gather  his. wheat  into  his  garner,  but  he  will  burn  up 
with  unquenchable  fire." 

(20)  Excd.  xii.  19.  (21)  Dan.  iv.  31. 

(22)  Exod.  xiv.  25.  Judges  iv.  17.  and  Amos  ii.  14. 

(23)  Rev.  xviii.  20,  and  xix.  1,  2,  3. 

M 


m  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

XXVIII.  Nor  is  it  strange,  nor  difficult  to  show, 
Why  human  prospects  end  in  human  woe. 
The  soul  of  man,  of  boundless  hopes  possess'd, 
Burns  with  desires,  and  hungers  to  be  blest ; 
But  still  his  heart  to  bliss  so  unally'd 
He  seeks  it  where  it  ever  is  deny'd. 
The  restless,  busy  tribes -of  flesh  and  blood, 
Earth-born  and  grov'ling,  seek  no  higher  good  ; 
For  sensual  joys  they  toil,  they  sleep,  they  wake, 
Brave  ev'ry  danger,  health  and  safety  stake, 
With  search  incessant,  and  from  shore  to  shore, 
They  grasp  their  treasures,  and  then  pant  for  more. 
The  field  of  nature  lures  the  selfish  heart, 
Exertion  spurs,  and  wakens  human  art. 

1  By  man  is  found,  where  grows  the  silver  vein, 
And  what  deep  mines  the  golden  ore  contain. 

3  Dug  from  tlve  earth,  the  useful  iron's  sought, 
And  sinning  brass  from  solid  stone  is  wrought. 

3  In  dark,  dank  caves  he  pours  the  light  of  day, 
And  bears  the  precious  fossils  thence  away. 

(Verse  1  )     Surely  there  it  a  vein  Jor  the  silver,  &c. 

This  chapter  begins  abruptly,  and  its  connection  with  the  one 
immediately  preceding,  is  very  obscure.  To  remedy  this,  and 
render  the  real  connection  apparent,  induced  the  necessity,  and 
was  the  reason,  of  prefacing  it,  in  the  paraphrase,  with  an  in 
troduction  of  fourteen  lines.  In  the  former  chapter,  Job  had  de 
scribed  the  desires  and  labors  of  the  wicked,  after  perishable 
riches,  and  their  miserable  end — which  made  it  evident,  they 
were  really  unhappy,  even  in  the  acquisition  of  those  things,  in 
wbich  they  esteemed  themselves  'the  most  fortunate.  He  now 
shows  why  they  neither  found,  nor  sought  after  wisdom — be- 

(3)  1. Kings  iv.  33.  and  Eccl.  i.  13. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  135 

4  By  art  drawn  off,  and  bursting  thro'  with  force, 
The  mighty  river  quits  its  former  course  ; 
Where  once  it  flow'd,  impassable  and  deep, 

See  houses,  meadows,  herds  and  flocks  of  sheep. 

5  The  whistling  plough-man  seeds  his  furrow'd  soil, 
And  gladd'ning  harvest  crowns  the  tiller's  toil  ; 
While  deep  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
Are  burning  sulphur,  coals  and. nitre  found. 

6  There  glows  the  sapphire  in  its  brilliant  hue, 
There  yellow  gold-dust  meets  the  raptur'd  view  ; 

7j  8  By  darksome  paths,  a  deep  and  drear  abode, 

Which  vultures  never  saw,  nor  lions  trode. 
9       How  great  the  wonders,  man  by  skill  performs  ! 
What  vast  achievements,  wrought  by  feeble  worms;  ' 
Through  solid  rocks,  he  hews  him   spacious  ways, 
And  lofty  mountains  levels  to  their  base  ; 

1 1  With  stable  mounds  the  threat'ning  floods  restrains, 
Deep  hidden  treasures  in  his  search  obtains  ; 

10  Bids  rivers  flow  through  excavated  stone, 
And  all  the  wealth  of  nature,  makes  his  own. 

tause  they  had  no  desires  for  it — they  knew-  not  the  place  of  :t, 
nor  sought  they  it  from  God,  but  had  recourse  elsewhere.  They 
knew  where  were  the  veins  of  silver,  and  mines  of  gold,  and 
these  places  they  searched  and  penetrated  with  incredible  labor 
and  hazard.  He  points  out  the  reason,  why  they  could  not  find 
the  path  of  happiness  ;  because  they  sought  it  in  wrong  objects, 
xnd  not  in  wisdom,  or  true  religion,  where  alone  it  is  to  be  found. 

(Verses  9,  10,  11  )  Hz  pittt-tb  forth  bis  hand  upon  tbs  rock  ; 
be  overturnetb  the  mountains  by  the  roots — He  cuttetb  out  riv 
ers  among  the  rocks,  and  his  eye  sesth  every  precious  thing — He 

(5)  Isaiah  xxviii.  28.          (6)  Excd.  xxiv.  10. 
(10)  Prov.  x.  4.  and  xiv.  23.  and  xxiv.  4. 


136  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

12  But  where  is  WISDOM  found  ?  and  what  the  place 
Where  dwells  the  knowledge  of  substantial  bliss  ? 

13  Proud,  sensual  man  !  in  vain  his  pow'rs  assay, 
The  place  to  search,  or  even  point  the  way. 
His  strength  and  skill  to  this  no  clue  afford, 
And  this,  nor  art,  nor  nature,  yet  explor'd. 
He  hath  no  numbers  to  compute  its  worth, 
Nor  is  it  found  'mong  all  the  sons  of  earth. 

blndetb   the  floods  from  overflowing,  and  tie  thing  that  is  hid 
bringetb   be  forth  to  light. 

Two  of  the  most  memorable  achievements  of  human  art,  labor 
and  enterprise,  of  this  kind,  which  antiquity  records,  and  which 
seem  to  justify  even  this  strong  description  of  Job,  are  Hanni 
bal's  winter  march  with  his  army  over  the  Alps,  in  his  expedi 
tion  against  Rome, — and  the  successful  stratagem  of  Cvrus,  em 
ployed  in  the  taking  of  Babylon.  The  first,  it  is  related,  forced 
*  passage  for  his  army,  elephants,  artillery,  and  heavy  baggage, 
over  impassable  rocks,  and  down  stupendous  precipices,  by  first  heat 
ing  the  rocks,  and  then  quenching  them  with  large  quantities  of 
vinegar,  by  which  they  were  so  softened,  that  they  could  hew 
their  way  through  them Cyrus  as  we  are  told,  when  besieg 
ing  the  city  of  Babylon,  and  finding  its  walls  impregnable,  con 
trived  to  turn  ihe  course  of  the  river  Euphrates,  which  ran 
through  the  middle  of  the  city  and  under  its  walls  ;  and  by  that 
mean,  marched,  in  the  night,  his  whole  army  through  the  chan 
nel  of  the  river,  into  the  city,  and  took  it.  It  is  further  storied, 
that  at  the  bottom  of  the  bed  of  the  river,  immense  treasures  were 
found,  hidden  there  by  former  kings  of  Bab  lin — to  which,  it  13 
thought,  that  the  prophecy,  Isaiah  xlv  3  alludes — But,  oh,  the- 
vanity  of  human  greatness!  After  all,  it  may  well  be  asked, 
•where  shall  wisdom,  be  found  ?  It  was  not  obtained  hy  these- 
mighty  conquercrs,  in  all  their  mighty  achievements. 

(12)  R^m  xi.  33.    1  Ccr.  5i.  14.  and  1  Kings  iii  9. 
(1;>)  Psalm  xxv.  9. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  13^ 

14  Hell's  dark  abyss  declares,  "  Ms  not  in  me  ;"— 

In  vain  it's  sought  for,  in  the  boundless  sea. 
15-19  The  peerless  treasure  can't  be  bought  nor  sold. 

For  sums  of  silver,  or  the  purest  gold 

Yea,  gold  of  Ophir,  when  compar'd,  is  dross, 
Sapphires  and  Onyx  stones  are  spurn'd  as  loss  ; 
Ev'n  chrystalsv  jewels,  pearls,  are  worthless  things, 
The  robes  of  princes,  and  the  crowns  of  kings. 
For  such  the  treasure,  tho'  from  man  conceal'd, 
To  wisdom's  worth,  all  things  material  yield. 

20  Where  then  is  Wisdom   found  ?  say,  where  the 

place, 
In  which  resides  the  art  of  happiness  ? 

21  Since  it  is  hidden  from  the  human  eye, 
From  beasts  and  fishes  and  the  birds  that   fly. 

S2  "  Thro'  distant  worlds  and  regions  of  the  dead,'* 
Its  voice  is  heard,  its  fame  and  glory  spread  ; 
But  heard  unseen,  to  all  is  still  unknown, 
By  all  is  sought  for,  yet  is  found  by  none. 

13  God  only  wise,  the  unknown  place  can  tell, 

Where  heav'nly  wisdom  and  true  pleasures  dwell. 
His  gifts  they  are — from  his  rich  treasure  flow, 
To  saints  on  high,  and  sinful  men  below. 

24  His  art  is  nature — space  his  vast  abode, 

And  Earth  and  Heav'n  confess  th'  all  present  God", 

23  He  weighs  the  mighty  waters  in  his  hand, 

And  winds  and  tempests  wait  his  high  command, 

(14)  Rom.  xi.  33.  (15)  Prov.  iv.  13.  &viii.  11, 

(16)  Exod.  xxviii.  20.      (17)  Prov.  xxv.'ll. 
(18)  Matt.  xiii.  46.          (23)  Matt.  xi.  27. 
(24)  Prov.  xv.  3.  and  Heb.  iv.  13. 
£35)  Amos  iv.  15. 

M  2 


138  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

26  When,  erst  the  clouds,  He  bade  their  task  perform, 
And  fix'd  the  laws  of  sunshine  and  of  storm  ; 

By  his  decree,  mark'd  out  the  wond'rous  way, 
Where  thunders  roar,  and  forked  light'nings  play  ; 

27  Then  Wisdom  was  his  own— by  Him  prepar'd, 
Search'd  out  and  known — in  all  his  works  declar'cl. 

28  Then,  from  the  mighty  Lord  of  Earth  and  Heav'n* 
To  mortal  man,  this  high  behest  was  giv'n, 

"  Thy  wisdom  be,  to  fear  me  from  the  heart — • 
"  Thy  happiness,  from  evil  to  depart." 

XXIX.   Recall'd  to  mind,  I  now  with  tears  regret 

The  times  I  witness'd,  and  can  ne'er  forget 


Bright  scenes  of  joy,  oh,  might  they  once  return  ! 
Those  days  of  health  and  peace,  for  which  I  mourn. 

3  When  God,  to  me,  most  graciously  display'd 
His  saving  goodness,  and  protecting  aid  ; 
Around  me  pour'd,  with  beams  of  heav'nly  grace. 
The  bright  effulgence  of  his  smiling  face  ; 

My  bosom  gladden'd,  and  my  feet  allur'd, 
Thro'  shades  of  darkness  and  of  death,  secur'd. 

4  Oh,  might  the  verdant  spring  of  life,  once  more, 
My  health  renew,  the  strength  of  youth  restore  ! 
As  when  my  God,  with  secret  converse  sweet, 
Once  crown'd  the   comforts  of  my  peaceful  seat  ; 

5  His  presence  blest  me  with  connubial  joys, 
Dear  prattling  children,  sporting  with  their  toys, 

(26)  Jcr.  v.  24  &  Amos  iv.  7. 

(27)  Psalm  xix.  i.  and  Rom   i   20. 

(28)  Dent.  xxix.  29.  Psalm  c^i  10.  &  Prov.  i.  7- 
(3)  Psalm  xxiii.  4.         (4)  Psalm  xxv.  14. 

(5)  Judges  vi.  12. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  139 

His  bounteous  hand  replenish'd  all  my  store, 
Full  was  my  basket,  and  my  cup  ran  o'er  ; 
My  pastur'd  lawns,  well  stock'd  with  sheep  and  kine» 
Pour'd  milk  in  rivers — and  the  fruitful  vine 
Blush'd  with  ripe  clusters — while  the  stony  field 
And  barren  mount,  the  plenteous  olives  yield. 

7  When  call'd  to  council,  in  th'  affairs  of  state, 
I  rode  in  splendor  to  the  city  gate  ; 

And  when  the  judgment  seat,  in  act  t'  ascend, 
What  list'ning  silence  thro'  th'  assembly  reign'd  1 

8  The  young,  abash'd,  respectful  distance  took, 
The  aged  rose,  with  rev'rent  act  and  look  ; 

9,  10  Dumb  were  the  nobles,  princes  silence  kept, 

And  thro'  the  crowd,  nor  voice,  nor  whisper  crept. 

(Verse  7.)  When  I  tuent  out  to  the  gate  through  the  City,  taben  I 
prepared  my  seat  in  the  street. 

In  this  ckapter  Job  sets  forth  his  former  state  of  prosperity 
and  honor,  in  the  most  elegant  and  rhetorical  manner;  nor  can 
there  exist,  in  language,  or  conception,  a  more  striking  and  affect 
ing  contrast,  than  the  one  presented  us  in  this,  and  the  chapter 
next  following.  He  was  high  in  office,  influence  and  authority, 
and  appears  to  have  floxirislied  in  all  the  honor  and  dignity  of  a 
king,  a  lawgiver  and  a  judge.  The  verse,  before  us,  presents  him 
in  the  latter  character  ;  and  I  would  only  remark  upon  it,  that  it 
was  the  immemorial  custom  and  practice  among  the  ancients,  to 
hold  their  courts  of  justice,  and  hear  and  adjudge  causes,  in  the 
open  air,  at,  in,  or  near  the  gates  of  the  city.  This  is  expressly 
alluded  to  in  various  passages  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  partic 
ularly  in  Amosv.  The  expressions  there  in  the  lOih,  12'  h  and 
15ui  verses,  support  the  idea,  and  are  explained  by  it.  "  They  hate 
him  that  rebuketh  inthe^ate — they  afflict  the  just,  they  take  a 
bribe,  and  they  turn  aside  the  poor  in  the  gate,  from  their  right 
, — Hate  evil  and  love  the  good,  and  establish^W^-me/Jfz/j  tbe gate." 
(6)  Gen.  xlix.ll.  &;  Deut.  xxxii.  13.  (9)  Judges  xviii.  19, 


UO  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE, 

Fixt  ev'ry  eye,  and  ev'ry  ear  attent, 

1 1  The  sentence  giv*n,  each  countenance  smil'd  assent. 
The  eye  that  saw  me,  sparkled  with  delight, 

The  ear  that  heard  me,  witness'd  I  was  right. 

12  Because  I  help'd  the  poor  man  in  distress, 
For  th'  injur'd  plead,  reliev'd  the  fatherless  ; 

13  Broke  the  proud  arm,  uplifted  to  destroy, 
And  cheer'd  the  widow '  s  heart,  to  sing  for  joy, 
Expiring  wretches  own'd  my  pow'r  to  save, 

And  bless'd  the  hand  that  snatch'd  them  from  the 
grave. 

14  For  wisdom,  justice,  goodness,  high  renown'd, 
By  ev'ry  tongue  my  praise  was  spread  around  ; 
In  robes  of  righteousness,  was  cloth'd  my  name, 
And  like  a  shining  diadem,  my  fame. 

15  How  sweet  the  work,  to  light  with  genial  glow^ 
The  smile  of  comfort  in  the  face  of  woe  ! 

T'  instruct  the  ign'rant,  change  the  night  to  day, 
Reclaim  the  vicious,  and  direct  his  way  ! 
Eyes  to  the  blind  I  was,  the  cripple's  crutch, 
The  sick  and  wounded  felt  my  healing  touch  ; 

16  A  constant  friend  and  father  to  the  poor, 

His  rights  to  guard,  his  unknown  cause  explore. 

17  By  wholesome  laws  the  us'rer  I  restrain'd, 
The  wicked  punish'd,  and  the  lawless  chain'd  ; 
Relax'd  th'  oppressor's  gripe,  his  prey  restor'd, 
And  to  the  needy,  op'd  the  miser's  hoard. 

(11)  Prov.  xxix.  2.  and  Mark  vii.  37. 

(12)  Psalm  Ixxii.  12.     (13)  2  Tim.  i  16.  &  Prov.  xxxi  8. 
(14)  Psalm  cxxxii.  9.     (15)  Numb.  x.  31.  &Micahiv.  6. 
(tt)  Prov.  xxv.  9.         (17)  Psa,  Iviii,  6.  &  ISam.  xvii.  OSi 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  141 

18  Sure  then,  I  cry'd,  if  conscious  worth  may  hope, 
And  deeds  of  virtue  bear  the  good  man  up  ; 
With  long  and  happy  life  I  shall  be  blest, 

And,  like  the  birds,  die  singing  in  my  nest. 

19  By  waters  set,  my  tree  shot  forth  its  roots, 

Its  tow'ring  branch  was  grac'd  with  fairest  fruits  ; 
My  shade,  wide  spreading,  cheer'd  the^  sunny  field, 
And  dews  nocturnal,  on  my  top  distilPd. 

20  Increasing  strength  confirm'd  my  prosp'rous  state, 
My  life  was  happy,  and  my  glory  great. 

21  An  oracle,  I  stood,  for  counsel  wise, 
Resolv'd  the  doubting,  to  their  glad  surprise — 
To  me  men  came,  and  crowded  was  my  court, 
With  list'ning  clients,  waiting  my  report. 

22,23  My  words  refreshed  them,  as  the  latter  rain 
Falling  on  pastures  of  the  parched  plain  ; 
They  hear'd  submissive,  none  oppos'd  my  will, 
And  from  my  judgment,  there  was  no  appeal. 

24       If,  at  their  faults,  I  jested  e'er,  or  laugh'd, 
It  was  a  father's  humor, — gentle — soft — 
They  thought  me  kind  in  all  they  saw,  or  heard, 
And,  as  a  faultless  friend,  my  face  rever'd. 

f!5    As  troops,  the  orders  of  their  king  obey, 

They  bow'd  obsequious,  while  I  chose  their  way  ; 
In  me,  their  trust  and  confidence  was  full, 
A  friend  to  comfort,  and  a  prince  to  rule. 

XXX.     But  now,  alas  !  those  blissful  days  are  fled, 
And  dark  and  joyless  is  the  scene  I  t;'ead. 

(18)  Psalm  xxx.  6.  &  Gen.  xxv  8.         (19)  Jer.  xvii.  7 

(20)  2  Sam  vii.  9  and  Isaiah  xl   31. 

(21)  Prov.  viii.  34.  and  xi.  14 

(22)  Acts  xvii.  11.  (23)  Psalm  Ixxii.  6, 


US  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Afflicting  change  !  a  sad  reverse  I  mourn, 
Once  rais'd  to  honor's  height,  now  sunk  in  scorn. 
Ev'n  beardless  youth,  of  birth  so  mean  and  base, 
Their  fathers  would  my  herds  and  hounds  disgrace, 
Now  raise  their  heads,  with  dirt  and  filth  besmear'd, 
And  point,  with   scorn,   at   him  whom  once   they 

fear'd. 
2  But  if  no  honor  to  old  age  be  due,    ' 

Why  should  I  wish  it  from  this  worthless  crew.? 

(Verse  2  )  Tea,  whereto  might  the  strength  of  their  hands  profit 
me,  in  inborn  old  age  -was  perished  ? 

The  real  sense  of  this  verse  is  rather  obscure,  and  of  difficult 
explanation.  There  is  an  ambiguity  attending  it,  arising  from 
the  peculiarity  of  the  latter  clause,  and  still  more  from  the  un 
certainty  respecting  the  subject  of  the  predicate,  or  whether  th« 
persons  spoken  of,  or  the  person  speaking,  be  the  antecedent  to 
the  relative  ivbom.  If  it  be  the  former,  then  perhaps  he  may  be 
understood  as  saying,  "  Though  these  savage  bipeds,  the  dregs 
of  human  kind,  now  raise  their  heads,  and  affect  to  look  down 
upon  me  with  supercilious  scorn,  yet  I  have  little  reason  to  re 
gret  their  contempt  and  contumely,  but  as  marks  of  my  extreme 
ly  low  and  degraded  state.  The  insignificant  -wretches,  having 
led  the  lives  of  mere  animals — idle  and  useless  to  themselves  and 
others — ignorant  in  spite  of  experience,  and  though  old  in  years, 
yet  mere  children  in  \visdom  and  knowledge  ;  are  therefore,  in 
capable,  if  disposed,  of  affording  me  either  honor  or  profit,  assist 
ance  or  counsel.'* 

In  the  other  sense  it  would  stand  thus  :  "  If,  indeed,  I  am  so 
low  and  wretched  as  to  have  lost  all  the  honor  and  respect  due  to- 
experience  and  age,  and  have  fallen  under  the  contempt  of  the  ho- 
orable  and  the  wise  ;  the  scorn  of  these  miscreants,  who  are 
scarcely  distinguished,  but  by  their  shapes,  from  the  beasts  that 
perish,  is  indeed  of  very  small  and  trifling  consideration — for  it' 
thote  are  willing  to  afflict,  tbese  arc  unable  to  comfort  me," 
(2)  Titus  i.  12.. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  143 

In  brighter  days,  I  needed  not  their  aid, 
Nor  can  they  comfort,  in  affliction's  shade. 
3,  8       This  upstart  race,  the  dregs  of  human  kind, 
To  cheerless  want  and  solitude  consign'd, 
Once  rov'd  in  ragged  wretchedness  forlorn, 
The  prey  of  rav'nous  beasts,  of  men  the  scorn  ; 

5  Like  thieves,  were  hooted  from  the  seats  of  men, 

6  And  dwelt  with  serpents  in  the  mountain's  den  ; 

7  Beneath  the  nettles,  in  the  murky  glade, 

Or  'mong  the  bushes,  with  wild  asses  bray'd  ; 
4  From  roots  of  juniper,  procur'd  their  meat, 

And  bitter  mallows,  for  their  sallad,  ate. 
9  Now  from  their  dens,  these  shameless  miscreants 
throng, 

And  me  they  hail,  their  by-word,  and  their  song. 

10  In  scornful  mirth,  and  with  malicious  smile, 
They  pluck  my  beard,  my  face  with  rheum  defile. 

1 1  And  since  the  hand  of  Heav'n  hath  laid  me  low, 
With  pain  and  sickness,  poverty  and  woe, 

(Verse  11.)  Because  bt  batb  loosed  my  cord  and  afflicted  me,  tfxy 
have  also  let  loose  the  bridle  before  me. 

This  is  a  figurative  expression  to  denote  the  imbecility  and 
weakness  of  his  afflicted  state,  from  whence  he  was  subjected  to 
the  vilest  abuses  of  the  vulgar  herd.  Taking  advantage  of 
his  weak  and  defenceless  situation,  and  unawed  by  fear  of  punish 
ment,  they  sportd  in  his  misery,  unrestrained ;  and  loaded 
him  with  injuries  and  insults  with  impunity.  This  verse 
is  a  direct  counterpart  to  the  20th  verse  of  the  former  chapter 
— "  My  glory  was  fresh  in  nae,  and  my  bcmi  was  renewed 

(3)  Prov.  iii.  21.  &  Zeph.  i.  15. 

(4)  Deut   xxviii.48.  (5)  Gen.  xxi.  10. 
(9J  Psalm  xxxv.  15.            (10)  Matt.  xxvi.  67. 


144  f  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

They  heap,  with  insult,  my  afflicted  state, 
And  give  unbridled  licence  to  their  prate. 
13  The  hoary  head  despis'd,  the  impious  youth 
Assume  the  honors  due  to  age  and  truth  ; 
On  my  right  hand,  insultingly  they  walk, 
And  stun  my  ears  with  their  ungodly  talk  ; 

13  Nor  help,  nor  hope  enjoy'd,  elate  with  pride, 
Jeering,  they  scoff,  and  virtue's  path  deride  ; 
That  peaceful  path,  I  once  with  honor  trode, 
They  strive  to  marr,  and  drive  me  from  my  God. 
In  works  of  mischief,  each  and  all  engage, 
Unite,  and  round  me  pour  their  mingled  rage. 

14  As  torrents,  bursting  from  the  mountain's  brow, 
Descend  and  ravage    all  the  plains  below, 

More  deep  and  wide,  the  madcl'ning  waves  extend, 
And  art  and  nature  in  confusion  blend. 
Swift  as  a  whirlwind,  they  pursue  my  soul, 
And  hi  a  tide  of  desolation  rolL 

in  my  hand,"  that  is,  my  honor,  power  and  authority  were 
great  and  increasing.  Here  he  saith,  God  "  hath  loosed  my 
cord,"  or  relaxed  my  bo-w  string — by  which,  he  means  directlv 
the  reverse — that  God  had  reduced  his  strength,  and  weak 
ened  his  authority,  power  and  influence.  With  the  ancie 
the  bo-w,  was  an  essential  part  of  military  armor, — it  • 
a  weapon  of  war,  and  always  used  in  conquering  their  enemies 
hence  it  became  an  emblem  of  strength  and  victory.  This  is  evi 
dent  from  the  words  of  Jacob  in  ble.ssing  his  son  Joseph.  Gen. 
xlix.  28.  "  The  archers  have  sorely  grieved  him,  and  shot  at  him, 
but  his  bow  aboik  in  strength."  Hence,  when  any  one's  cord,  cr 
bow-string  was  said  to  be  loosed,  it  denoted  a  defenceless  state  of 
subjugation  and  weakness. 

(12)  Zech.  iii.  1.         (13)  Acts  xiii.  10.  &  Zech.  i.  15. 
(14)  Psalm  Ixxx.  12, 13. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  U5 

'  5   Sighing,  I  sink  in  waters  o'er  my  head, 

'  Darkness  and  night  around  their  horrors  spread, 
A  thousand  terrors  join  in  grim  array, 
And,  like  a  cloud,  my  peace  is  fled  away. 

17  My  tortur'd  bones  are  pierc'd  with  nightly  pain, 
Nor  sleep  my  eyes,  nor  rest  my  flesh  obtain  ; 

18  My  stiffening  clothes  but  swell  my  weight  of  woe, 
While  ulcera'ing  wounds  adhesive  flow. 

J  6  In  vain  my  daily  tears,  my  nightly  groan, 
Black  melancholy  marks  me  for  her  own. 

1 9  Yet  not  from  earth  nor  worms  my  trouble  springs, 
The  hand  of  God  this  dire  affliction  brings  ; 
Almighty  wrath  hath  crush'd  me  down  to  dust, 

I  mourn,  I  sigh — but  own,  that  God  is  just — 

20  Inexorably  just in  vr.hi,  I  cry, 

"  Spare  me,  O  Lord,  nor  leave  me  thus  to  die, 
u  Beneath   the  terrors  of  thine  awful  frown, 
"  Oppress'd  in  darkness,  and  by  death  cut  clown." 
•2 1   I  cry  for  mercy,  but  no  mercy  find, 

Hath  God,  indeed,  forgotten  to  be  kind  ? 

What  is  the  creature's  strength  or  might  t'  oppose 

The  strength  eternal  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  ? 

22  More  frail,  more  feeble  tha7i  the  spider's  snare, 
Dissolv'd  and  broken  by  a  puff  of  air. 

23  Of  this  assur'cl,  I  hnov.-ir.y  CL-rtj.in  doom, 
Death  is  thy  sentence,  and  my  house,  the  tomb  ; 


(15)  Jer.  xvii.  17.  (17)  Lam.  ii.  18. 

(18)  Psalm  xxxix.  11.  (19)  Psalm  xl.  2. 

(2.,)  Matt.  xv.  22.  (21)  Psalm  Ixxvii.  8,  10. 

(22)  Psalm  cvii.  27.  (23)  Eccl.  xii.  5. 


US  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

24  No  further  will  his  awful  wrath  extend, 

The  grave  is  peaceful — here  my  sorrows  end. 

25  Those  brighter  scenes  of  days  and  years  now  past, 
I  view,  and  with  my  present  state  contrast. 

Shall  not  one  tear  of  pity  be  return'd, 

For  thoxisands  I  have  shed  with  those  that  mourn'd? 

Was  I  not  to  the  poor  and  needy  kind  ? 

The  orphan's  father,  and  the  widow's  friend  ? 

26  Hard  is  my  lot,  indeed,  now  left  to  mourn, 
Oppress'd  with  grief,  unpitied  and  forlorn  ! 
Inconstant  world  !  and  expectations  vain  ! 
Good  turn'd  to  ill,  and  ease  exchang'd  for  pain  ; 
Darkness  succeeds  to  light,  disease  to  health, 
To  plenty  want,  and  indigence  to  wealth. 

27  Blighted  are  all  my  schemes,  dissolved  to  air, 
And  darling  hope  has  left  me  to  despair. 

(Verse  24.)  Ho-wbcit  be  -will  not  stretch  out  bis  hand  to  the  grave, 
though  thc-J  cry  in  his  destruction, 

Job  here  speaks  of  himself  in  the  last  clause  of  the  vcr^e,  in  the 
ihirci  person — a  mode  of  speech  which  frequently  occurs  in  this 
book.  By  the  verse  before  us,  he  undoubtedly  means,  that  dea'.h 
•will  be  a  final  end  to  all  his  afflictions.  Though  his  enemies  shcut 
with  triumph  in  his  death,  yet  they  have  no  "power  to  pursue,  or 
persecute  him  any  furher — in  their  very  triumph,  their  malice  is 
defeated.  Nor  will  God  extend  his  chastisements  any  further  — 
'•'•  My  immortal  soul  shall  live  beyond  the  grave,  freed  from  all 
the  sins  and  sorrows  of  this  wretched  world,  and  received  to  the 
embraces  of  his  everlasting  love.  This  is  my  high  consolation  in 
aHliction — my  sufferings,  though  sharp,  are  of  short  continuance, 
and  I  shall  soon  exchange  them  for  a  heavenly  cro\vn." 

(23)  Rom.  sii.  15.  (26)  J2r.  viii.  15, 

(27)  Col  iii.  12.  and  Amos  ix.  10. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  147 

28  My  sun  is  dark'ned  in  the  noon-day  sky — 
In  shades  and  solitude,  I  heave  the  sigh. 
Before  th'  affrighted  multitude  I  rose, 
Estrang'd  to  human  kind — the  child  of  t/oes, 

29  And  rais'd  my  voice  and  cry'd — "  The  wretch  you 

view, 

"  Was  once  a  man,  and  Hv'd  and  fed  like  you. 
"  But  now,  I  kindred  claim  with  beasts  and  fowls) 
"  The  dragon's  brother,  and  a  mate  for  owls. 

30  "  Here,  neither  strength,  nor  beauty,  now  you  see, 
"  Nor  form,  scarce  human,  left  in  wretched  me. 

31  "  Nor  harp,  nor  organ  longer  charm  my  ears  ; 
"  Sighs  are  my  music,  and  my  food  is  tears." 

XXXI.  *Such  is  my  wretched  state — ulas  !    how  hard, 
How  chang'd,  how  fallen,   and  with  mis'ry  marr'd  » 
Yet  though  my  pain  all   human  thought  exceeds, 
I  still  maintain,   'tis  not  for  impious  deeds. 

Accusers  hear your  malice  I  defy, 

Thy  groundless  charges,  Eliphaz,  deny  ; 
Again,  assert  the  innocence  I  feel, 
And  to  omniscient  purity  appeal. 

*  In  the  two  former  chapters,  Jab  appears  to  have  digressed 
from  the  course  of  his  argument,  in  taking  a  contrasted  and  af- 
fecMng  view  of  his  former  prosperous,  and  his  present  wretch ;.i 
state. 

He  here  returns  to  it,  rather  abruptly,  and  employs  the  remain 
ing  part  of  his  speech  in  repelling  the  charges,  Eliphaz  had 
brought  against  him.  To  introduce  this,  in  connection  with  what 
immediately  precedes  it,  this  short  preface  is  made  in  the  para 
phrase. 

(28)  Psalm  xlii.  9.  &  Ixxvii.  2.         (29)  Jer.  ix  2 
(30)  Lam.  iv.  8.  (31)  Isaiah  xxlv>  ^ 


US  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

1  God's  holy  law  my  constant  guide  hath  been, 

My  hands  I've  wash'd,  and  kept  my  heart  from  sin 
Check'd  the  first  buddings  of  unchaste  desire, 
And  qusnch'cl  the  flame  of  lust's  unhallow'd  fire  ; 
The  lawless  passion,  banish'd  from  my  breast. 
And  shut  my  eyes  against  th'  alluring  pest. 

2  For  why  should  I  offend   my  God  above, 
And  forfeit  thus,  the  blessings  of  his  love  ; 

3  Ensure  th'  inheritance  of  wrath  divine, 
Th'  accursed  portion  of  the  libertine  ? 

With  hearts  impure,  the  Lord  will  never  dwell, 
He  hates  their  ways,  and  dooms  their  souls  to  hell. 

4  All  things  arc  naked  to  his  piercing  view, 
He  sees  whatever  sinful  mortals  do  ; 

No  dark'ning  shadows  can  obstruct  his  sight, 
Night  shines  as  day,  and  darkness  as  the  light, 
Doth  not  his  Providence  my  ways  effect, 
My  conduct  mark,  my  ev'ry  step  direct  ? 

5  If  falsehood,  fraud  and   mischief,  I  pursu'd, 
Intent  on  evil  and  oppos'd  to  good 

6  (Let  me  in  justice'  equal  scale  be  weigh 'd, 
By  truth  examin'd,  and  by  right  assay'd  ; 
That  my  integrity  be  fully  known, 
Approv'dby  reason,  and  to  conscience  shown  ;) 

7  If  e'er  I  wander'd  from  the  path  of  right, 
By  fraud,  extortion,  or  oppressive  might  ; 
Desir'dj  for  nought,  another's  goods,  or  kinds, 
Let  loose  my  av'iice,  and  distain'd  my  hands  ^ 

(1)  Matt.  v.  28.  (3)  Jiide  7. 

(4)' 2  Chron.  xvi.  9.  and  Prcv.  v.  21. 

(5)  Ephes.  v.  15.  and  Ectl.  v.  1." 

(6)  Psalm  xxvi.  1.   cxxx.  ;>   arnl  2  Cor.  -\.  12. 
t?"}  Ecclxi.9.  andEzek.  vi.  P. 


TRIAL  OF  VTRTUfe,  14* 

8  Then  let  the  mischief  on  myself  rebound, 

My  fields  be  commons,  beggars  reap  my  ground  ; 
My  wealth,  ill  gotten,  to  the  poor  be  giv'n, 
My  children  scatter'd  to  the  winds  of  Heav'n. 

9  Or  if,  entic'd  by  beauty's  luring  face, 

I  blindly  rush'cl  to  lawless  love's  embrace  ; 
My  neighbor's  house  and  confidence  abus'd, 
By  treach'rous  arts,  his  constant  wife  seduc'd  j 

1 0  May  ills  superior,  o'er  my  house  be  spread, 
Return'd,  in  kind,  upon  my  guilty  head. 

1 1  The  thought,  how  horrible  !— the  crime  so  great? 
In  sight  of  Heav'n,  and  'gainst  the  social  state  ; 
An  heinous  crime,  which  God  and  man  condemn, 
And  justly  sentence  to  eternal   shame. 

12  The  raging  fire  consumes,,  by  swift  degrees, 
All  social  order,  all  domestic  peace  ; 

(Verses  11,  12.)  For  this  is  an  heinous  crime,  yea,  it    is    an    ini 
quity   to  be  punished  by  the  judges.     For  it  is  a  f.re  that  consu- 
meth  to  destruction,  and  would  root  out  all  mine  increase. 
Though  polygamy  was  practised  by  the  ancients,   and  is  still 
continued  among  some   nations,  unenlightened  by  Christianity  j 
yet  the  crime  of  adultery,  or  matrimonial  incontinency,  of  which 
Job  is  here  speaking,  has,  by  the  common  consent  of  mankind  in 
all  ages  and  nations,  been   condemned,  as  one  of  the  most  atro 
cious  crimes,  and  punished  accordingly.  "  This," said  Job,"  is  an 
heinous  crime,  yea,  it  is  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the,  judges."' 
Indeed,  we  can  hardly  conceive  of  a  higher  crime  against  society-, 
or  one  more  directly  and  fatally  levelled  at  the  interest  and  hap 
piness  of  a  community.     It  is  expressly  forbidden  by  the  !?. v.-  of. 

(8)  Lev.  xxvi.  16.  and  Matt.  vii.  2. 

(9)  Eccl.vii.  26.  and  Jer.  v.  7. 

(10)  2  Sam.  xii.  11.  (11)  Gen.  xxxviii.  24. 
(12)  Prov.  vi.  32.  33. 

N:2 


150  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

The  charms  of  friendship,  uith  love's  purest  joys, 
And  the  fond  parent's  fairest  hope  destroys. 
13       If  wealth  my  soul  with  arrogance  inspir'd, 
And  lust  of  pow'r,  my  haughty  bosom  fir'd  ; 
If,  when  my  injur'cl  servant  plaintive  cry'd, 
I  stopt  my  ears,  and  just  redress  deny'd  ; — 

God,  and  the  most  awful  threatenings  are  denounced  against  it  in 
the  inspired  canon — whoremongers  and  adulterers  God  will  judge. 
In  the  divine  decalogue,  that  comprehensive  summary  of  God's 
holy  law,  it  stands  the  next  in  order  to  the  crime  of  murder;  and 
certainly,  it  will  yield  to  none  other,  either  in  the  turpitude  of  its 
nature,  or  its  mischievous  effects.  Marriage  is  a  divine  institu 
tion,  and  one  of  the  earliest  appointments  of  heaven.  When,  with 
respect  to  the  first  father  of  the  human  race,  God  saw  that  it  was 
not  good  for  man  to  be  alone  ;  He,  in  infinite  kindness,  created 
and  ordained  him  an  help-mtet,  and  said,  "  for  this  cause,  shall 
a  man  leave  father  and  mother,  and  cleave  unto  his  wife,  and 
they  twain  shall  be  one  flesh." — Hence,  it  is  evident,  the  sexes 
were  designed  for  each  other  ;  but  their  intercourse  is  to  be  regu 
lated  and  bounded  by  those  rules  and  restrictions,  which  the  all- 
wise  and  benevolent  Author  of  existence  hath  established.  The 
goodness  of  God,  in  providing  for  the  hixppiness  of  his  creature 
man,  in  this  life,  and  in  guarding  him  from  many  of  the  worst 
evils  of  his  apostacy,  is  most  brightly  displayed  in  the  institution 
of  marriage.  It  is  wisely  calculated  for  the  continuation  and  in- 
crease  of  the  species — to  restrain,  within  due  bounds,  some  of  the 
most  ungovernably  appetites  and  passions  of  man — to  prevent  a 
continued  scene  of  debauchery,  contention,  murder  and  blood- 
.'.  render  human  society,  in  some  measure,  a  blessing, 
T  would  prove  an  absolute  and  intolerable  curse. 
It  is  demonstrable,  that  a,  promiscuous  and  unrestrained  inter- 
[course  of  the  sexes,  directly  tends,  not  only  to  the  wretchedness, 
^but  the  depopulation  of  the  human  race  ;  and  hence  Job  remarks 

.'I'?}  1  Sam.  xxv.  17. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  1*1 

14,15  What  hope  could  rise,  in  dark  affliction's  hour  ? 
What  confidence  in  his  protecting  pow'r, 
Who,  by  his  quick'ning  word,  of  common  earth, 
Our  bodies  form'd,  and  gare  us  life  and  birth  ; 

with  the  confidence  of  assurance,  respecting  matrimonial  inconti- 
nency,  "  it  is  a  fire  that  consumeth  to  destruction,  and  would 
root  out  all  mine  Increase"  Marriage  is  one  thing  which  espe 
cially  distinguishes  man  as  a  rational  creature,  and  gives  him  an 
honorable  elevation  above  the  brutal  race.  It  sweetens  and  con 
firms  to  him  all  the  delightful  enjoyments  of  social  life,  and  but 
for  this,  they  could  not  exist.  On  the  other  hand,  unfaithfulness 
to  the  marriage  covenant,  saps  the  foundation  o£  society,  and  fa 
tally  empoisons  all  the  streams  of  human  felicity,  at  the  very 
fountain.  He,  or  she,  therefore,  who  perpetrates  this  horrible 
wickedness,  forfeits  the  rank  of  a  rational  being,  and  ought  to 
be  viewed  and  treated  as  an  avowed  enemy  to  the  human  race. 
How  proper  is  it  then,  that  this  iniquity  should  be  "  punished  by 
the  judges" — that  human  laws,  which  should  ever  have  the  good 
of  human  society  for  their  end,  should  ordain  and  execute  con 
dign  punishment  for  this  high  crime  against  society  :  and  how 
astonishing  is  it,  that  in  any  civilized  state,  the  punishment  by 
law  affixed  to  this  crime,  in  cases  where  one  of  the  parties  is  a 
feme  sole,  or  unmarried  woman,  should  be  only  a  small  fine,  not 
exceeding  that  imposed  for  petit  larceny,  or  stealing  a  sleeve-but 
ton  \ 

(Verse  15.)  Did  not  He  that  ma Je  me  in  the  tvomb,  make  him  ? 
and  did  not  one  fashion  us  in  the  womb  ? 

What  an  excellent  lesson  does  this  reflection  teach,  to  the  mas 
ters  of  servants,  to  treat  them  with  kindness  and  clemency  ;  as 
fellow  creatures  and  as  brethren.  With  what  tender  feelings  of 
humanity  would  it  inspire  them,  but  to  consider  and  realize,  that 
they  are  formed  of  common  clay — are  creatures  of  the  same  God, 
and  have  the  same  Father  in  heaven,  on  whom  they  eaeh  are 
alike  dependent  for  life  and  happiness. 

(14)  2  Thess.  i.[8.  (15)  Mai.  ii.  10. 


152  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Our  common  Father,  Maker,  Keeper,  Lord, 
Our  equal  rights,  who  views  with  just  regard  ? 
Should  he  in  wrath,  inflict  the  chast'ning  rod, 
What  could  I  plead   before  the  bar  of  God  ? 
Omniscient  justice  would  disclose  my  blame, 
And  dumb  conviction  seal  my  lasting  shame. 

16  If  e'er  I  wrong 'd  the  fatherless  and  poor, 
Unfeeling  spurn'd  the  beggar  from  my  door  ; 
To  claims  of  want,  was  knavish,  or  unkind, 
Or  the  poor  widow's  scanty  mite  purloin'd. 

17  The  dainty  dish,  have  I  alone  devour'cl, 
The    fatherless  unbidden  to  my  board  ? 

1 8  From  youth  I  was,  nor  can  it  be  deny'd, 
The  orphan's  father,  and  the  widow's  guide. 
Nurs'd  in  my  arms,  and  at  my  table  fed, 

He  drank  my    cup,  en  joy 'd  one  half  my  bed. 

19  From  naked  wretches,  shiv'ring  with  the  cold, 
The  needful  garment,  did  I  e'er  withhold  ? — 

20  Warm'd  with  my  fleece,  new  life  their  limbs  regain, 
And  their  clu'll'd  heart's-blood  glows,  thro'  ev'ry  vein. 
To  life  restor'd,  and  to  the  light  of  day, 

They  bless  the  hand,  which  they  can  ne'er  repay. 

21  Or  did  I  not  with  steadfast  heart  engage, 
"  To  stem  the  torrent  of  a  downward  age  ;" 

(Verse  21.)  If  I  have  lift  up  my  band  against  the  fatherless,  when 
I  saia  my  help  in  the  gate ; — 

This  corresponds  with  the  7th  verse  of  the  29th  chapter,  and 
means  the  taking  undue  and  wicked  advantage  in  the  law, 
either  as  jud^e  or  party,  to  injure  the  poor,  and  deprive  him  of 

(16)  Luke  xvi.  21.  (17)  Rom.  xii.  13. 

(18)  1  Tim.  iii.  2.  and  James  i   27- 

(19)  Matt.  xxv.  36.  (20)  2  Tim.  i.  16. 
(21)  Isaiah  Iviii.  6.  and  2  Chron.  xix.  6. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  155 

But  wresting  judgment,  with  resistless  might, 
Stretch  forth  my  hand,  against  the  orphan's  right  ? 
52   Then  may  the  guilty  limb  its  crime  atone, 
And  my  right  arm  be  broken  from  the  hone. 

23  Yet,  greater  punishment  than  this  appear'd, 
God  was   my  Judge — his  awful  wrath  I  fear'd  ; 
His  greatness  struck  my  trembling  soul  with  awe  ; 
So  high  his  throne,  so  holy  is  his  Law. 

24  If,  sordid  passions'  slave,  I  sought  to  find, 
In  gold,  a  portion  for  th'  immortal  mind  ; 
In  loaded  coffers,  plac'd  my  eager  trust, 
And  paid  my  court  to  heaps  of  yellow  dust. 

25  If  Mammon  were  the  god  my  soul  ador'd, 
And  wealth,  and  lux'ry  could  my  joys  afford  ; 
My  heart  encircled,  what  my  hands  had  won, 
As  rolls  the  earth,  around  th'  attractive  sun. 

26  If,  when  I  saw  the  dazzling  source  of  light, 
Or  his  fair  image,  silver  queen  of  night  ; 

27  By  Pagan  zeal  inspir'd,  with  upward  gaze, 
My  hand  I  kiss'd,  in  homage  to  their  rays  ; — 

his  just  right.  How  often,  have  we  not  reason  to  fear,  is  this 
kind  of  oppression  practised,  under  the  mask  of  law,  and  th* 
fair  pretext  of  justice  and  right ! 

(Verses  26,  7,  8.)  If  I  beheld  the  sun  -when  it  shine  J,  &c. 

It  is  evident  from  this  passage,  that  Job  lived  in  an  age  of  idol 
atry,  and  among  a  people  who  worshipped  the  sun  and  moon — 
or  that  this  worship  was  practised  by  the  nations  and  tribes  round 
about  him — perhaps,  not  by  his  own.  Kissing  the  band,  it  seems, 

(23  Gen.  xxxix.  9.  and  Phil.  ii.  12. 

(24)  Psalm  lii.  7.    Prov.  x.  15.  and  Luke  xli.  15. 

(25)  Esther  v.  11.  and  James  v.  5. 

(26)  Horn.  i.  23.     (27)  Matt.  xv.  19,  and  Hoseaxiii.  2. 


154  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE, 

28  This  were  indeed,  a  crime  of  monstrous  size, 
The  Great  First-Cause,  th*  Almighty  to  despise  > 
To  render  Mose,  the  worship  due  to  HIM, 
Were  to  deny  the  GOD  OF  HEAV'N  SUPREME. 
My  soul  condemn'd,  must  sink  beneath  his  rod, 
And  learn,  by  suffering — He  alone  is  God, 

29  Did  I  enjoy  the  mis'ry  of  my  foe, 
Laugh  at  his  fall,  and  triumph  in  his  woe  ; 
With  fiend-like  pleasure,  in  the  mischief  done, 
Lift  up  my  hand,  to  virge  his  ruin  on  ? 

30  No. saith  my  conscience  to  this  hellish  sin, 

No  hidden  malice  lurk'd,  this  heart  within  ; 
My  hands  refus'd,  for  ill,   to  render  worse, 

Nor  tongue,  nor  heart,  e'er  wish'd  his  soul  a  curse. 

3 1  Tho'  my  fond  sei'vants,  scarce  by  words  rest  rain 'd, 
Fir'd  with  the  wrongs,  their  master  had  sustain'd, 

was  the  method  of  their  rendering  homage,  in  this  idolatrous 
worship.  This  wickedness,  Job  condemns,  as  practical  atheism— 
a  virtual  denial  of  the  God  that  is  above,  or  the  only  living  and 
true  God,  who  is  a  Spirit,  and  requires  of  his  creatures,  the  spirit- 
^•iial  worship  of  the  heart. 

(Verre  31.)  If  the  men  of  my  tabernacle  satd  not,  Oh,  that  ise 
bad  of  his  flesh  !  -we  cannot  be  satisfied. 

This  passage  is  ambiguous,  and  admits  of  two  different  senses. 
It  respects,  either  the  cries  of  hunger,  or  the  cries  of  revenge — 
either  that  his  servants  were  full-fed,  and  had  no  occasion  to 
complain  of  the  scantiness  of  their  Master's  board — or,  that  they 
had  such  a  high  regard  to  their  master's  honor  and  interest,  and 
such  a  keen  resentment  of  his  wrongs,  that,  unless  restrained  b/ 

(28)  1  Sam.  xv.  23  and  Matt.  iv.  10. 

(29)  Psalm  xxxv.  13,  14.  (30)  Rom.  xii-  14. 
(31)  Psalm  xxvii.  2. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE,  is 3 

Plead  for  revenge,  as  hungry  men  for  food. 
To  tear  his  flesh,  and  spill  his  vital  blood  ; 
I  sooth'd  their  rage,  spread  peace  and  friendship 

round, 
The  fall'ii  rais'd,  and  clos'd  the  gaping  wound. 

32  Both  friends  and  foes  the  common  bounty  shar'd, 
Op'd  were  my  hands,  my  doors  to  all  unbarr'd  ; 
Within  my  walls,  the  stranger  was  a  guest, 

The  way-worrrtrav'ler  found  a  welcome  rest. 

33  If,  fearing  shame,  I  shunn'd  my  Maker's  face, 
Like  the  first  sinner  of  the  human  race  ; 

With  fig-leaf  cov'ring,  sought  my  guilt  to  hide, 
Or  hourly  follies  lessen'd,  or  deny'd. 

34  From  right  and  reason,  did  th'  impassion'd  force 
Of  mobs  and  riots,  turn  my  steady  course  ? 

Did  I,  through  influ'nce  of  the  wealthy  great, 
Betray  the  int'rest  of  the  public  state  ? 
Their  bribes  corrupt  me  ?  or  their  frowns  control 
.   Th'  unshaken  firmness  of  an  upright  soul, 
From  fear  of  families,  to  shame  my  worth, 
And  hide  at  home,  when  duty  call'd  me  forth  ? 
33       If,  o'er  the  land,  I  spread  oppression's  reign, 
Disseis'd  the  owner,  of  his  just  domain  ; 

his  authority,  they  would  even  fight  in  his  cause,  and  execute 
summary  vengeance  upon  his  enemy,  by  tearing  his  flesh  from 
his  bones.  The  latter  sense  is  adopted,  in  the  paraphrase,  because 
it  is  more  naturally  connected  in  sense,  with  the  two  verses 
immediately  preceding  ; — but  the  reader  will  judge  for  himself. 

(32)  Judges  xix.  21. 

(33)  Gen.  iii.  12. 1'rov.  xxviii.  13-  and  Acts  v.  8. 

(34)  Numb.  xxv.  15.  and  Exod.  xxxii.  27. 
(38)  Hab.  ii.  11. 


156  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

By  fraud,  or  violence,  his  harvest  reapt, 
A  harden'd  tyrant,  while  the  injur'd  wept  ; 

39  My  lands  unpurchas'd,  by  extortion  gain'd, 
The  starving  tenant  for  his  rent  distrain'd  ;— 

40  Then  light  the  curse,  and  let  my  cultur'd  field, 
Thistles,  for  wheat  ;  for  barley,  cockle  yield. 

15       Oh,  were  my  cause,  by  Judge  impartial  try'd, 
Wise  to  discern,  and  upright  to  decide  ! 
This  is  my  great  request,  resort  dernier, 
That  God  would  judge,  and  his  award  declare. 
Had  my  accuser  but  engross'd  his  charge, 
Drawn  out  on  vellum,  open,  fair  and  large  ; 

36  How  would  I  seize  and  wear  the  trophy  found, 
A  turban  fair,  or  collar  to  my  gown. 

The  broad  phylact'ry,  ev'ry  eye  should  read, 
That  ev'ry  tongue,  the  cause  of  truth  might  plead, 
That  right   from   wrong,   from    falsehood  truth  be 

shown, 
And  all  my  guilt,  to  Earth  and  Ileav'n  well  knovn. 

37  Dress'd  in  the  majesty  of  conscious  right, 
With  humble  boldness,  I'd  approach  his  sight, 
Each  action,  thro'  my  pilgrimage,  tell  o'er, 
And  ev'ry  footstep  of  my  life  explore. 

40        77ms  far  spake  Job,  and  thus  his  cause  maintained, 
Then  closed  his  plea,  and  solemn  silence  reign' d. 

(Verse  37.)     <:s  a  prince   would  I  go  near  unto  him — that   ' 

is,  with  a  firm  confidence  in  the  justice  of  my  cause,  and  the  in 
tegrity  of  my  Judge. 

(39)  James  v.  4.  (35)  Psalm  xxvi.  1. 

(36)  Matt.  v.  11.         (37)  Prov.  xxviii.  1.  £c  1  Pet.iii.  15. 


o 


PART  V. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


THE  three  friends  of  Job  making  no  further  answer,  Elihu,  a 
youthful  bystander,  takes  up  the  subject  of  controversy,  with 
many  apologies  for  his  itftrusion,  and  the  boldness  of  his  youth. 
Me  reproves  them  for  not  satisfying  Job,  and  represents  his 
zeal  to  speak.  Offers  himself  instead  of  God,  with  sincerity 
and  meekness,  to  reason  with  Job.  Justifies  God,  from  his 
greatness,  in  not  giving  any  account  of  his  ways.  God  calls 
man  to  repentance,  by  visions — by  afflictions,  and  by  his  minis 
try.  Elihu  reproves  Job  for  charging  God  with  injustice. — 
God  omnipotent,  and  infinitely  wise,  cannot  be  unjust.  Man 
must  humble  himself  unto  God.  He  reproves  Job  for  his  ar 
rogance.  Comparison  is  not  to  be  made  with  God,  because 
our  good,  or  evil  cannot  extend  unto  him.  Many  cry  in  their 
afflictions,  but  are  not  heard,  for  want  of  faith.  Elihu  shews 
how  God  is  just,  in  all  his  ways — how  Job's  sins  hinder  God's 
blessings.  God's  works  are  to  be  magnified.  God  is  to  be 
feared,  because  of  his  great  works,  in  which  his  wisdom  is 
unsearchable. 

Tbis  Part  doses  the  address  nf  Elihu  t  and  t-r.-ls  \:-iih  theo7th  Chapter. 


T, 


XXXII.   i  HE  conf'rence  clos'd,  the  parties  still  at  bay, 
Nor  Job  wish'd  more,  nor  they  knew  what  to  say  ; 
Tir'd  with  the  efforts  of  a  long  dispute, 
His  Mends,  despairing,  quit  the  vain  pursuit. 
Confuted  and  disarm'd,  tho'  hostile  still, 
O'ercome  and  vanquish'd,  yet  averse  their  will ; 
A  blank  ensu.'d,  a  sullen  silence  reign'd, 
Nor  proof,  nor  reas'ning,  wit,  nor  words  remain'd. 

3: — 5   When  lo  !  in  act  to  speak,  a  manly  youth, 
A  stander-by,  in  search  of  mora'l  truth, 
Who,  thro'  the  whole,  had  strict  attention  paid, 
But  silent  heard,  himself  to  speak,  afraid  ; 
Job  and  his  friends,  indignant,  now  he  view'd, 
That  he  unhumbled,  they  confounded,  stood  ; 
His  pulse  beat  high,  his  zeal  no  longer  pent, 
Wrath  furnish'd  words,  and  gave  his  feelings  vent  ;. 
The  Syrian  Elihu*,  Barachel's  son, 

Of  Nahor's  race,  and  land  of  Buz,  begun. 

6       "  From  aged  lips  flow  wisdom,  knowledge,  truth; 
To  such  is  defrence  due,  from  beardless  youth, 

*  See  the  Dissertation  in.the/A-pp'endix. 


UO  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Because  ye're  old,  and  I  am  very  young1, 
Fear  seaFd  my  lips,  attention  bound  my  tongue  ; 
And  shame-fac'd  modesty,  with  pow'r^suppressM 
The  glowing  sentiment  within  my  brea'st. 

7  To  age,  said  I,  belongs  the  right  to  teach, 

Let    knowledge   speak,    and    grey-hair'd    wisdom 

preach. 

Deep  was  th*  impression,  yet  how  soon  effac'cl  ! 
How  oft,  is  confidence  in  years,  misplac'd  ! 
9  The  great,  the  learn'd,  in  vain  their  wisdom  boast, 
In  error's  mazy  path,  bewilder'd,   lost  ; 
Reason,  experience,  age,  deceptive  prove, 
Untaught  by  light  and  wisdom  from  above  ; 

8  God's  Spirit  only,  opes  the  mental  eye, 

And  shews  blind  man,  where  truth  and  fasehood  lie. 

(Verse  8.)  But  there  Is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspiration  of  tbt 
Almighty  giveth  them  understanding. 

Some  suppose  this  verse  to  be  an  indication  of  Elihu's  con 
sciousness  of  speaking  by  preternatural  inspiration,  and  indeed,* 
an  express  avowal  of  it.  But,  it  is  conceived  to  be  conclusive 
proof  of  neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  A  consciousness  of  speak 
ing  by  divine  inspiration,  would  not  well  comport  with  the  ex 
treme  diffidence  he  manifests,  in  shewing  his  opinion  ;  and  au 
express  and  solemn  avowal  of  it,  would  have  been  a  more  weigh 
ty  and  engaging  introduction,  than  a  thousand  apologies.  Beside, 
the  incorrectness  of  his  quotation  from  the  words  of  Job,  as  wilt 
hereafcer  appear,  is  a  circumstance,  of  itself,  sufficient  to  disprove 
it.  Elihu,  though  a  modest  youth,  was  a  zealous  advocate  for 
the  cause  of  truth  ;  and  spake,  in  the  warmth  of  his  spirit,  from 
the  view  with  which  his  mind  was  impressed  with  the  subject 
The  verse  before  us,  in  its  connection,  though  spoken  with  par 
ticular  reference  to  the  three  friends,  is  a  general  declaration  of 
the  insufficiency  of  human  reason,  even  in  men  of  the  greatest 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  161 

10  "  These  thoughts,  now  bid  me  all  my  fears  forego, 
Urge  me  to  speakr  and  my  opinion  show. 

1 1  While  thro'  the  strife,  did  each  his  thoughts  recount. 
And  search  for  truth,  in  wisdom's  deepest  fount ; 

12  List'ning  I  watch'd,  and  waited,  but  in  vain, 
As  thrifty  corn-fields  wait  the  cheering  rain  ; 
Ey'd  ev'ry  glance,  each  thought  and  word  survey 'd, 
And  all  your  reas'nings  in  the  balance  laid. 

mental  powers,  to  search  the  deep  things  of  God,  and  explore, 
with  precision  and  certainty,  the  sublime  mysteries  of  his  Provi 
dence  i — that  human  reason  upon  these  subjects  is  fallible  and 
blind ;  and,  without  the  illumination  and  guidance  of  heaven,  will 
certainly  stumble  in  judgment,  and  draw  erroneous  conclusions, 
even  from  the  most  correct  and  best  established  premises. 

The  sentiments  of  Elihu,  in  this  passage,  and  those  of  Paul  in 
his  epistles,  and  particularly  in  1  Cor.  ii.  so  nearly  resemble,  as  to 
illustrate  each  other,  in  comparison.  "  Great  men  are  not  always 
wise,  neither  do  the  aged  understand  judgment  ;"  saith  Elihu. 
"  The  world  by  wisdom  know  not  God — we  speak  the  wisdom 
of  God  in  a  mystery,  which  none  of  the  princes  of  this  world 
knew — eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  in- 
to  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for 
them  that  love  him  ;"  saith  Paul. — "  But  there  is  a  spirit  in  man, 
and  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  him  understanding," 
saith  Elihu.  "But  God  hath  revealed  them  unto  us  by  hh  Spi 
rit — that  we  might  know  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to  us  of 
God,"  saith  Paul.  These  passages,  therefore,  appear  very  par 
allel  ;  and  unitedly  point  us  to  the  special  teachings  of  the  Divine 
Spirit,  and  that  common  privilege,  God  grants  to  his  people,  a 
spiritual  discernment  of  divine  things  for  their  direction  in  duty. 
"  He  that  is  spiritual  judgeth  all  things — The  meek  will  he  guidt 
in  judgment,  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way — He  that  believeth 
hath  the  witness  in  himself." 

(12)  Prov.  xviii.  13.  Acts  xviii.  28.  aud  1  Tim.  i.  7. 
O   2 


'62  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

But  what  avail  your  pleas  ?  wide  from  the  mark, 
Your  reas'nings  stray,  and  leave  us  in  the  dark  ; 
The  thread-bare  tale  hath  oft  repeated  been, 
Full  veil  you  cease  to  say  the   same  again  ; 
Job  unconvinc'd,  his  words  unanswer'd  are, 
And  ye,  wise  men,  sink  down  in  dumb  despair. 
13       "  'Twas  thus,  the  counsel  of  th'  Eternal  mind, 
Decreed,  that  human  wisdom  shall  be  blind  ; 
Lest  ye  should  claim  the  glory  of  his  throne, 
And  say,  that  might  and  wisdom  are  our  own. 
God  casts  him  down — his  pow'r  and  glory  shine  ; 
The  rod,  the  staff  and  wisdom  are  divine. 
14,15       "  I'm  not  a  party,  nor  by  Job  address'd, 
Nor  with  your  pleas,  will  I  his  words  resiit  ; 

(Verse  14.)  neither  ixill  I  answer  him  with  your  speeches. 

To  reconcile  the  parties,  and  to  convince  and  humble  Job,  Eli- 
hu  adops  and  pursues  a  middle  course  between  the  two  opposite 
extremes,  in  which  Job  and  his  friends  had  labored  in  the  debate. 
He  neither  justifies  Job,  nor  does  he  condemn  him  upon  the  same 
ground  with  his  friends.  With  them,  he  does  not  tax  him  with 
secret  hypocrisy,  and  bring  against  him  charges  of  high  crimes 
and  misdemeanors,  for  which  he  is  visited  with  the  judgments 
of  heaven,  and  give  the  latter  in  evidence  of  the  former  :  but  he 
reproves  and  condemns  him  for  his  restiveness  under  the  divine 
correction,  and  the  rash  words  he  had  spoken,  savoring  too  little 
of  meekness  and  submission.  And,  perhaps,  this  reproof  was 
not  without  some  ground-  The  reproof  of  the  Most  High, 
strengthens  the  idea.  Indeed,  if  under  all  his  sufferings,  the  great 
est,  perhaps,  ever  endured  by  mere  man,  he  had  not  discovered 
the  least  sign  of  impatience,  nor  in  any  instance,  or  degree,  spo 
ken  unadvisedly  with  his  lips  ;  Job  must  have  been  something 
more  than  human. 

(13)  1  Cor.  i.  29.  Jer.  ix.  23.  and  chap  i.,21. 
(15)  Amos  v.  13.  and  1  Cor.  i.  19. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  W3 

The  pompous  rhet'ric,  you've  apply'd,  in  vain, 
By  me  unborrow'd,  for  yourselves  retain. 
16,17  I've  heard  you  all,  and  since  your  words  are  past, 

I'll  give  you  my  opinion,  tho'  unask'd. 
1 3  Fir'd  are  my  thoughts,  my  anxious,  lab'ring  soul, 
Now  burns  to  speak,  impatient  of  control. 

19  Like  new  made  wine,  in  fragile  bottles  pent, 
My  swelling  heart  will  burst,  deny'd  a  vent. 

20  I'll  ease  me  then,  the  painful  silence  break, 
Declare  my  thoughts,  and  for  refreshment,  speak. 

2 1  But  candid  be  my  words,  impartial,  right, 
Honest  as  truth,  and  lucid  as  the  light  ; 
Paint  men  and  things,  in  colors,  as  they  are, 
No  virtues  flatter,  and  no  vices  spare, 

Let  truth  and  justice  glow  within  my  breast, 
In  simple  plainness,  all  my  thoughts  be  dressed, 
Without  respect  to  title,  or  estate. 
Or  partial  favor  to  the  wealthy  great. 

22  Far  from  my  soul,  these  arts  accurs'd  be  driv'n, 
Nor  let  me  thus  incur  the  wrath  of  Heav'n  ; 
Lest  angry  Justice  stop  my  tainted  breath, 
And  blast  my  guilty  soul  in  endless  death. 

XXXIII.  "  Since  thus  I've  ventur'd,  and  those  fears  re - 

pell'd, 

2  Which  long,  my  tongue,  in  solemn  silence,  held  ; 
With  honest  frankness,  in  the  cause  of  truth, 
Have  op'd  the  lips  of  inexperienc'd  youth  ; 
1  Now  hear  me,  Job,  to  all  my  words  attend, 
With  patience  hear  the  counsels  of  a  friend. 

(18)  2  Cor.v.  14.         (19)  Acts  iv.  20.  &  Matt.  ix.  17. 
(20)  Eph.  vi.  19.          (21)  Lev.  xix.  15.  &  Acts  xii.  22. 
(22)  Matt.  xxii.  16.  and  Acts  xii.  23. 
(Chapxxxiii.  1.)  Acts  x.  33,        (2)  Psalm  xxxvii.  30. 


164  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3  Warm  from  the  heart,  my  words  in  truth  shall  flow, 
And  duty  clearly  to  thy  conscience  show. 

4  My  youth  despise  not,  I'm  thy  fellow  worm, 
And  as  a  creature,  stand  on  equal  term  ; 

Who  form'd  thee,  Job,  our  common  parent  stands, 
My  being,  life  and  breath  are  in  his  hands. 

5  Wake  then  thy  senses,  to  the  bus'ness  rise, 
Nor  let  my  boldness  strike  thee  with  surprise  ; 
'Tis  thy  own  cause,  against  thyself  I  plead, 
Prepare  to  answer,  if  thou  canst  indeed.- 

In  me,  receive  thy  wish,  so  often  made, 
An  human-form,  in  God  Almighty's  stead. 
Hear  undismay'd,  what  I  for  him  can  say, 
Nor  fear  the  presence  of  thy  fellow-clay  ; 

7  Of  my  great  pow'r  thou  need'st  not  be  afraid, 
Nor  shall  my  thunder  fill  thy  soul  with  dread  ; 
Then  freely  speak,  fear  no  superior  might, 

I  claim  no  homage,  but  respect  for  right. 

8  "  Surely  I  heard,  nor  can  I  e'er  forget 
These  awful  words,  thou  utt'redst  in  debate  ; 
Which  stunn'd  my  ears,  my  soul  with  horror  smote, 
And  which,  my  heart  still  trembles,  but  to  quote  :— 

9  "  Free  from  iniquity  my  life  hath  been, 

"  My  soul  is  guiltless  and  my  conscience  clean  ; 
«  For  no  transgression,  is  my  sorrows'  smart, 
"  My  hands  are  pure,  and  innocent  my  heart  ; 
10  "  From  venial  failings,  God  occasion  takes, 
«  And,  for  fictitious  crimes,  his  anger  wakes  ; 
«  My  soul  involves,  in  wretchedness  and  woe, 
"  And,  the'  his  friend,  pursues  me~as  his  foe  j 

(3)  1  Thess.  i.  3,4. 

(4)  Chap.  xxxTi.  8.  (6)  2  Cor.  v.  20. 

(7)  Chap.  xiii.  21,  (9)  Chap.  ix.  30.  &  xix.  7. 

(10)  Chap.  xiv.  18.  &  xiu.  14. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  165 

1 1  «  Marks  all  my  paths,  confines  with  bars  and  locks, 
»  And  binds  my  feet  in  fetters  and  in  stocks." 

12  *'  Here  rests  thy  blame  ;  nor  can  thy  words  be 

right, 

'Twas  pride  that  prompted  to  this  impious  flight. 
How  pure  so'er  thy  former  life  hath  been, 
Yet  know,  that  God  is  greater  far  than  men  ; 
Just  are  his  ways  and  all  his  judgments  true, 
Tho'  clouds  and  darkness  hide  the  creature's  vie\r. 

1 3  High  in  the  Heav'ns,  He  reigns,  th'  Almighty  God  ; 
Why  then  dost  strive  against  his  chast'ning  rod? 
Thy  duty  is  submission  to  his  throne, 

Humbly  to  bow,  and  know,  Him  God  alone. 
Deep  are  his  counsels,  what  canst  thou  discern  ? 
Believe  him  right,  and  meekly  wait  to  learn. 
The  Lord  Jehovah,  and  the  Judge  Supreme 
To  none  accounts,  but  all  account  to  Him. 

14  "  Nor  think,  because  by  thee  misunderstood, 
That  God's  corrections  are  not  just  and  good. 
In  various  ways  He  speaks  ;  iu  each,  and  all, 
Instruction  shines  ;  in  each  may'st  hear  his  call  :— 
But  man,  perverse,  inconstant,  stupid,  blind, 

Nor  hears  the  voice,  nor  sees  the  hand  divine. 
Seeing,  he  doubts — believing,  he  rejects  ; 
Hearing,  he  feels  not — feeling,  he  neglects  ; 
'Tis  all  in  vain,  without  the  Spirit's  aid, 
Dark  is  his  heart,  how  bright  so'er  his  head, 

(11)  Chap.  xiii.  27.  and  xxxi.  4. 

(12)  James  iii.  2.  and  Ps.tlm  cxv   3. 
(13",  Isaiah  xlv.  9  and  Matt,  xx    15. 
(14-;  Psalm  Ixii.  11.  and  Micah  vi.  6, 


165  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

15,16  God  works  unsseen — by  his  almighty  skill, 
In  virtue's  path,  He  guides  the  wayward  will. 
Nor  time,  nor  place  obstruct  his  gracious  might, 
His  hand,  by  day,  is  stretch'd — is  stretch'd,  by  night. 

(Verses  15, 16.)  In  a  dream,  in  a  vision  of  the  night,  -when  deep 
sleep  falleth  upon  men,  in  slumberings  upon  the  bed  ;  then  he 
openeth  the  ears  of  men,  and  sealetb  their  instruction,  &.c. 

It  is  evident,  that  in  the  early  ages  of  the  world,  and  indeed 
along  down  through  the  Mosaic  dispensation,  and  until  and  after 
the  coming  of  Christ,  divine  communications  were  made  to  man 
kind,  by  visions  and  nocturnal  dreams.  The  recorded  instances  of 
this  kind  in  the  Old  Testament,  are  too  numerous  to  be  particu 
larized  ;  several  occur  in  the  reading  of  the  New  .But,  whether,  since 
the  age  of  miracles,  the  days  of  the  apostles,  and  the  completion 
of  the  sacred  canon,  divine  inspiration  in  dreams,  is  to  be  expect 
ed  ;  or  is,  or  has  been,  in  any  instance,  given  ;  is  a  point  which 
perhaps  wants  proof.  At  the  present  day,  we  cannot  see  the 
same  occasion  for  inspired  dreams,  as  what  once  existed.  "  We 
have  a  tnore  sure  laord  of  prophecy,  to  which  we  do  well  to  give 
heed."  The  word  of  God  is  full.  The  volume  of  inspiration  is 
completed  and  closed.  This  was,  essentially,  the  reason  assign 
ed  in  the  denial  of  the  request  of  Dives,  to  have  Lazarus  sent 
from  the  invisible  world,  to  give  warning  or  instruction  to  any  in 
this.  For  the  same  reason,  any  kind  of  extra-communication  to 
mankind,  to  us  appears  needless,  and  therefore  not  to  be  expect 
ed.  If  God  have  "  magni£ed  his  ivord  above  all  his  name,"  we 
may  with  certainty  conclude,  He  doth  nothing  in  his  Providence, 
calculated  to  lessen  and  depreciate  it :  but  if  He  should  now  com 
municate  to  mankind,  by  visions  or  dreams,  the  knowledge  of 
any  truths  or  duties,  not  already  revealed  and  contained  in  his 
written  oracles  ;  or,  of  those  already  revealed,  and  therein  com 
municated  ;  would  it  not  imply,  in  the  first  case,  that  enough  was 
not  already  revealed  ;  and  in  the  second,  that  though  revealed,  it 

(15)  Numb.  xii.  6.  (16)  Luke  xxiv.  45. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  167 

When  conq'ring  sleep  the  busy  world  invades, 
And  dreary  midnight  wraps  the  earth  in  shades  ; 
He,  with  his  grace,  the  senseless  man  draws  nigh, 
Opes  the  deaf  ear,  illumes  the  mental  eye, 
By  dreams  instructs,  the  truth  in  -vision  seals, 
Dispels  the  darkness,  and  his  will  reveals  ; 

1 7  His  course  to  check,  from  plans  of  vice  withdraw, 
And  teach  proud  man  obedience  to  his  Law. 

1 8  "  How  kind  his  dealings  are  ;  to  all  how  good  ! 
His  bounteous  hand  gives  being,  breath  and  food  ; 
To  fav'rite  Man,  prime  pensioner  of  Heav'n, 
Are  art  and  nature,  grace  and  glory  giv'n  ; 

His  Maker's  hand,  his  path  thro'  life  directs, 
From  fatal  ills,  with  guardian  care,  protects  ; 
In  dangers,  shields  him,  rescues  from  the  sword, 
In  sickness  visits  with  the  healing  word. 

19  When  fell  disease  his  mortal  frame  attacks, 
And  dol'rous  pain  his  soul  .and  body  racks  ; 
Chain'd  to  the  bed  of  languishment  and  ills, 
Alternate  fever  burns  and  ague  chills, 

Thro'  ev'ry  limb,  the  spreading  torture  creeps, 
Cheerless  the  day,  thro'  night  he  wakes  and  weeps  ; 

20  Nauseous  his  food,  and  bitter  ev'ry  sweet, 

His  sick'ning  stomach  loathes  the  daintiest  meat  ; 

was  not  with  sufficient  clearness,  or  strength  of  evidence  ?  In  ei 
ther  case,  would  it  not  be  an  acknowledgment,  equal  to  an  ex 
press  declaration,  that  the  Bible  is  deficient,  and  inadequate  to 
the  purposes  for  which  it  was  given  ?  Thus  far,  however,  we  may 
with  safety  concede,  that  whenever  by  dreams  we  are  preserved 
either  from  natural  or  moral  evils,  we  are  bound,  with  thankful 
ness  to  acknowledge  the  divine  hand,  and  give  God  the  glory. 

(17)  Acts  ix.  3,  5.  and  2  Cor.  xii.  7.      (19)  Isaiah  xxvii.  9. 


1€8  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

2 1  In  pining  atrophy,  he  wastes  away, 

His  strength  and  nature  sink,  by  swift  decay  ; 

22  Nor  men,  nor  means,  his  wretched  life,  can  save, 
Death  points  his  dart,  and  waits  the  gaping  grave. 

23  Should  then,  a  witness  to  the  truth  arise, 
Some  chosen  prophet,  legate  of  the  skies, 
For  wisdom  fam'd,  for  piety  and  pray'r, 
One  of  a  thousand,  excellent  and  rare  ; 
To  him  declare  the  righteousness  of  4fod, 
The  duty  of  submission  to  his  rod, 

Point  him  to  Christ  who  lives  and  reigns  above, 
And  melt  his  heart  to  penitence  and  love  ; 

24  The  pray'r  of  faith  the  humble  sick  shall  save, 
And  pard'ning  mercy  snatch  him  from  the  grave  ; 
The  Saviour's  suff'rings  for  his  sins  atone, 

And  Heav'n  propitious,  send  salvation  down. 

25  To  smiling  health  restor'd,  revers'd  his  doom, 

His  count'nance  deck'd  with  more  than  infantbloom, 

(Verses  23,  24.)  If  there  be  a  messenger  with  him,  an  interpreter, 
one  among  a  thousand,  to  shew  unto  man  bis  uprightness  ;  then 
He  is   gracious  unto  him,  ami  saith,   deliver  him  from  going 
down  to  the  fit,  I  have  found  a  ransom. 

Perhaps  this  passage  may  receive  a  New  Testament  explana 
tion,  by  comparison  with  a  parallel  passage  in  James  v.  14,  15. 
"  Is  any  sick  among  you  ?  Let  him,  call  for  the  elders  of  the 
church,  and  let  them  pray  over  him,  anointing  him  with  oil  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord ;  and  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the 
sick,  and  the  Lord  shall  raise  him  up  ;  and  if  he  have  committed 
sins,  they  shall  be  forgiven  him." 

(22)  2  Sam.  xxiv.  16. 

(23)  2  Cor.  v.  20.  Matt.xiii.  52.  and  Acts  ii.  38. 
(25)  Psalm  ciii.  4. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  16* 

The  rose  and  lily  blend  their  brightest  hues, 
While  strength  primeval  youthful  age  renews. 

26  Devotion  kindles,  pray'rs  and  praise  arise, 
Like  fragrant  odors  wafted  to  the  skies  ; 

A  pard'ning  God,  all  tears  shall  wipe  away, 
His  grace  and  truth  and  righteousness  display  : 
Jehovah  smiles — his  favor  crowns  the  whole, 

:  Heav'n's  bright  radiance  beams  upon  his  soul. 

us,  ev'ry  humble  penitent  shall  prove 
The  ble^ings  of  obedience,  in  his  love. 

27  His  piercing  eye  pervades  the  human  race, 
And  notes,  unerring,   all  their  varying  ways, 
Whene'er  the  guilty,  smiting  on  his  breast, 
Intreats  for  mercy,  with  his  sins  confess'd, 
And  suppliant  cries,  "  I've  erred  in  thy  sight, 
"  Stray 'd  from  the  path  of  duty  and  delight ; 

"  Father,  forgive,  nor  spurn  me  from  thy  face, 

"  Oh,  grant  the  blessings  of  .thy  pard'ning  grace  :" 

28  Th'  Eternal  hears,  the  God  of  Heav'n  attends, 
Sure  is  his  promise,  swift  his  grace  descends  : 
The  dying  flesh,  He  rescues  from  the  grave, 

Th'  immortal  soui  from  endless  death  will  save  ; — 
To  light  and  joy,  and  life   divine  restor'd, 
See  dust  and  ashes  wake  to  praise  the  Lord. 

29  "  Thus  .gracious  is  our  God — such,  oft  have  been, 
His  works  of  mercy  to  the  sons  of  men. 

30  He  brings  the  wand'rer  from  destruction's  path, 
To  light  from  darkness,  and  to  life  from  death, 

(26)  2  Chron.  xxxiii.  12,  13.  and  Psalm  iv.  6. 
27)  2  Sam.  xii.  13.  and  Rom.  vi.  21. 
(28)  Isaiah  xxxviii.  17.  and  Micah  vii.  18,19,      , 
(30)  Psalm  Ivi.  13. 

P 


176  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

3 1  «  Note  well  the  subject,  Job — speak  not,- but  hear  ; 
Let  passion  cease — to  reason,  give  thine  ear  ; 
Hush  the  proud  tumult  of  thy  troubled  thoughts, 
Be  calm,  be  candid,  and  discern  thy  faults. 

32  Hear  me  throughout  ;  the  subject  fairly  scan, 
Then  clearly  prove  thyself,  the  righteous  man. 
'Tvvoukl  please  me  well,  thy  reas'ning  to  concede, 
And  whatthou  chim'st,  confess  thou  art  indeed. 

33  But  first,  with  patience,  hear  the  words  of  tfbth, 
And  deign  to  learn  sound  wisdom  from  a  youth. 

XXXIV.  "  Hear  then,  ye  sages,  hoary  sires,  attend  ! 
Weigh,  well  the  counsels  of  an  upright  friend. 
3  Your  senses  wake,  no  fraudful  art  is  here — 
Judge,  but  with  candor,  and  no  mischief  fear. 

(\rerse  5.)  For  the  ear  tr'icth  words  as  th:  mouth  tastctb  meat. 

There  is  an  important  gospel  sentiment  couched  in  these 
words  and  their  connection,  too  liule  realized  by  mankind,  and 
perhaps  not  at  all  by  the  unbelieving  part  of  the  world  ;  viz.  that 
the  spiritual  sense  of  the  child  of  God,  or  the  man  of  true  wis 
dom,  is  as  acute  and  discerning  with  respect  to  its  prof  er  objects, 
as  the  natural  and  bodily  senses  are  of  theirs  Elihu  recognizes 
this  truth,  when  he  addresses  his  hearers  in  this  character,  and 
under  this  figurative  allusion,  appeals  to  the  discernment  of  their 
spiritual  sense.  "  Hear  my  words  O  ye  wise  men,  and  give  ear 
unto  me,  ye  that  have  knowledge  ;  for  the  ear  t^ietb  Zi'ords,  as  the 
mouth  tcsteih  meat.  Let  us  choose  to  us  judgment,  let  us  know 
among  ourselves  what  is  good."  The  internal  evidence  which 
the  Christian  has  of  his  religion,  is  more  weighty,  powerful  and 
conclusive,  than  any  argument  from  without  ;  and  all  the  con 
viction  he  would  otherwise  obtain  by  the  improvement  of  his 
reasoning  and  intellectual  powers.  If,  by  our  senses,  we  can  ob- 

(33)  Psalm  xxxiv.  11.        (2)  Prov.  i.  5.  &  1  Tim.  iy.  12. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  171 

Tries  not  the  mouth,  the  nature  of  its  food, 
And  by  sensation,  relishes  the  good  ? 
The  moral  taste,  no  less  acute,  discerns, 
And  truth  and  duty,  with  precision,  learns. 
4  With  honest  motives,  then,  the  task  attempt, 
From  party  pride,  and  prejudice  exempt, 

tain  that  knowledge  of  natural  objects,  which  will  exclude  every 
rational  doubt,  and  compel  our  assent,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  sup- 
p  ose  that  God  hath  given  his  people  the  means  of  knowing1, 
with  at  least  an  equal  certainty,  spiritual  objects,  which  are  of 
infinitely  greater  importance  to  us  ?  It  is  true,  this  is  the  know 
ledge  of  faith,  but  this  is  as  certain  as  the  knowledge  of  sense, 
and  indeed  more  so.  Can  we  have  higher  evidence  of  any  object, 
than  the  divine  testimony,  the  truth  of  God  in  the  declarations  of 
his  word  ?  And  cannot  our  internal  and  spiritual  sense  of  spiritu 
al  objects,  be  as  discerning,  as  keen  and  accurate,  as  our  natural 
perceptions  and  senses  are  of  natural  objects  ?  This  is  the  in 
struction  of  scripture.  "  He  that  believeth  hath  the  witness  in 
himself."  He  has  that  experience  of  the  power  of  divine  grace 
upon  his  own  heart,  in  turning  him  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  Satan  to  God,  as  gives  him  full  conviction.  He  sees  such 
beauty  in  God's  word,  such  divine  wisdom  and  glory  in  the  whole 
and  every  pa.rt  of  the  gospel  plan,  that  he  knows  it  to  be  from 
God. 

If  these  ideas  be  just,  and  supported  by  the  Bible,  they  will 
teach  us  to  discard  with  abhorrence,  as  illiberal,  uncandid  and 
unchristian,  that  diffusive  liberality,  extolled  by  many,  as  the  real 
excellency  of  the  Christian  character,  and  the  chief  glory  of  the" 
age,  viz-  for  every  man  to  believe  every  other  man  correct  in  his 
faith,  however  opposed  they  are  in  their  sentiments  ;  and  so  em 
brace  him  as  a  good  Christian,  and  a  fellow  traveller  to  the  Zion 
above.  This  is  so  far  from  being  the  exercise  of  Christian  cha 
rity,  that  it  argues  the  highest  pitch  of  stupidity  and  moral  blind 
ness. 

(o)  Chap.  xii.  11.  (4)  Rom.  xii.2. 


171  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

. 

And  conscience,  voice  divine,  within  your  breast, 

Heav'n's  faithful  witness,  shall  the  truth  attest  ; — 
Falsehood  unmask'd,  no  more  its  charms  unfold, 
Nor  wit,  for  worth,  nor  tinsel  pass  for  gold. 

"  In  this  unening  scale,  let  Job  be  weigh'd, 
Whose  lips  presumptuous,  have  so  lately  said, 
"  Myself  am  rightccus,  and  my  God  unjust, 
"  Deaf  to  my  cries,  and  treach'rous  to  my  trust. 
£  "  With  servile  fear,  should  I  my  right  belie, 
"  And  own  my  guilt,  thoj  conscience  should  deny  ? 
u  Confess  hypocrisy,  his  wrath  to  soothe, 
"  And  utter  falsehood,  for  the  sake  of  truth  ? 
"  Th*  Almighty's  arrows,    know,   my  heart   have 

pierc'd, 

"  His  pow'r,  my  soul,  in  sorrow's  fount,  immers'd  ; 
"  Faultless  I  suffer,  blasted  my  desires, 
"  Mortal  my  wound,  and  hope,  with  peace,  expires." 

7  "  What  man,  like  Job,  who  heeds  nor  blame,  nor 

praise, 

Smiles  at  contempt,  and  triumphs  in  disgrace  ; 
Whose  sweetest  bev'rage,  are  reproaches  just, 
And  burning  censure  cools  his  raging  thirst  ? 

8  Lost  to  all  shame,  and  obstinate  in  wrong, 
With  words  of  wickedness,  he  fills  his  tongue  ; 
With  scoffing  infidels,  walks  hand  in  hand, 
And  fearless,  strives  to  lead  the  impious  band. 

9  For  such  his  words,  without  remorse,  or  sighs, 

"  From  serving  God,  nor  hopes,  nor  profits  rise  ; 
«  His  smiles  so  fickle,  and  his  gifts  so  small, 
«  'Tis  vain  to  love,  or  worship  him  at  all." 

(6)  Chap  xix.  7  and  ix.  17.          (8)  Psalm  1.  18. 

(9)  Chap.  b;.  22.  and  Mai.  iii.  U. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  173 

10  «  From  words  so  shocking,  turn,  with  haste,  away, 
Ye  men  of  sapience,  hear  what  I  shall  say  ; 

Shall  worm's  of  earth,  emerging  from  the  dust, 
Rise  up,  and  say  their  Maker  is  unjust  ? 
Far  from  our  breasts,  the  impious  tho't  be  driv'n, 
Forbid  it  Reason,  Conscience,  Earth  and  Heav'n. 

1 1  Ascribe  due  honor  to  his  glorious  name, 
Who'lives  and  reigns,  eternally  the  same  ; 

Tho'  clouds  and  darkness  blind  the  creature's  sight, 
His  ways  are  justice,  and  his  throne  is  right  j 
Due  wages  shall  his  holy  hand  bestow, 
On  ev'ry  man,  who  liv'd  on  earth  below  ; 

12  The  grace  and  justice  of  the  righteous  Lord, 
The  sinner  and  the  saint,  shall  well  reward  ; 
That  own  him  just,  this  triumph  in  his  reign  ;— - 
No  moral  ills  his  holy  hands  distain. 

13  "  Nor  less  a  Sov'reign,  than  the  Judge  divine  ; 
Prais'd  by  his  works,  how  bright  his  glories  shine  I 
Uncaus'd,  uncounsel'd,  uncontrol'd  in  might, 

He  rules  the  world,  as  pleasing  in  his  sight  ; 

The  mighty  universe,  his  hand  sustains, 

Directs  its  motions,  deals  its  joys  and  pains  ; 

He  sees  each  part,  and  lives  throughout  the  whole,- 

The  Sov'reign  Lord,  and  actuating  Soul. 

From  none  receiv'd.   He  singly  fills  the  throne,. 

And  as  He  wills,  disposes  of  his  own. 

His  lib'ral  bounty,  ev'ry  blessing  gave, 

In  Him,  all  life,  and  breath,  and  being,  have, 

(10)  Psalm  xcii    15. 

(11)  Psalm  Ixii.  12.  &  Prov.  v.  21- 

(12)  Gen.  xviii.  25.  and  Psalm  xlv.  6. 

(13)  1  Chron.  xxix.  11.  and  Prov.  via,  31,  • 

P   2 


174  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

14  Should  He  but  deal,  in  justice  with  our  race, 

Or  once  from  them,  withhold  preserving  grace; 

15  All,  in  that  moment,  that  have  life  and  breath, 
Would  sink  together,  in  immediate  death. 

16  "  List  to  my  voice,  the  solemn  subject  scan, 
If  thou  have  wisdom,  use  it  like  a  man  ; 
Awake  thy  reason,  send  thy  thoughts  abroad^ 
And  ponder  well  the  government  of  God. 

17  This  question  solve,  now  put  thyself  at  school, 
Shall  folly  teach,  and  wickedness  bear  rule  ? 

Wilt  thou,  proud  emmet,  God's  high  throne  assume» 
Seize  on  his  sceptre— govern  in  his  room  ? 
Or  swol'n  with  rage,  blaspheme   his  holy  name, 
And  his  most  perfect  justice,  dare  condemn  ? 

1 8  Should  some  poor  subject  to  his  monarch  say, 
Tho'  form'd  of  dust,  and  sov'reign  of  a  day, 

"  Unfit  to  rule,  unworthy  of  thy  trust, 
"  Thy  heart  is  wicked,  and  thy  reign  unjust  ;"— 
Would  this  be  pleasing  ?  well  his  state  become  ? 
Or  guilt  of  treason  strike  the  rebel  dumb  ? 

19  How  vast  th'  offence,  then,  judging  great  by  small, 
Thus  to  address  the  sov'reign  Lord  of  all ; 

The  KING  ETERNAL,  and  the  JUDGE  MOST  JUST, 
Who  form'd  both  prince  and  peasant  of  the  dust  ; 
.  With  pow'r  impartial  deals  his  gracious  aid 
To  all  the  creatures  which  his  hands  have  made  ! 


(14)  Psalm  xxvi.  9. 

(15)  Gen.  iii.  19.  &  Eccl.xii.  7. 

(16)  1  Cor.  x.  15. 

(17)  2  Sam.  xxiii.  3. 

(18)  Exod.  xxii.  26. 

(19)  Rom.  ii.  11. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  irs 

30       But  lo  !  his  wrath,  what  sudden  plagues  attend, 
Ami  prince  and  people  in  one  ruin  blend  ! 
Behold  the  tumult,  hear  the  midnight  cry, 
They  shriek  with  terror,  gasp  for  breath,  and  die. 
Tluj  hand  divine  i:t visible  the  powV, 
Whence  oft  whole  cities  perish  in  an  hour. 

21  For,  all  mankind  are  ever  in  his   sight, 

He  views  their  actions,  in  the  clearest  light  ; 

22  Nor  darkness,  nor  the  shades  of  death  aft'ord, 
To  wicked  men,  a  hiding  from  the  Lord. 

23  Beyond  desert,  none  suffers  penal  puin, 
There  none  has  right  to  murmur,  or  complain. 

24  "  With  steady  flame,  his  holy  am-cr  burns, 
And  his  high  hand  the  wheel  of  empire  turns  ; 
Princes  unnumber'd,  mingles  with  the  dead, 
And  gives  their  crowns  to  others  in  their  stead. 

55  The  hidden  mischief,  which  their  hands  pursue, 
Tho*  veil'd  with  midnight,  cannot  'scape  his  view.: 
Their  crimes,  detected  by  the  beams  of  morn, 
O'erwhelm  their  souls  with  public  shame  and  scorn  ; 

(Verse  20.)  In  a  moment  shall  they  die,  and  the  people  shall  be 
troubled  at  midnight,  and  pats  away  :  and  the  tnighty  shall 
be  taken  away  without  hand. 

This  was  so  literally  exemplified  in  the  last  of  the  ten  plagues 
upon  Egypt,  that  it  seems  like  either  a  prophecy  or  history  of 
what  we  read,  Exod.  xii.  29.  "  And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  at  mid 
night,  the  Lord  smote  all  the  first-born  in  the  land  of  Egypt, 
from  the  first-born  of  Pharaoh  that  sat  on  the  throne,  unto  the 
first  born  of  the  captive  that  was  in  the  dungeon,  and  all  the  first 
born  of  cattle." 

(20)  Rev.  xviii.  8.  and  Exod.  xii.  29. 

(21)  2  Chron.  xvi.  9.         (22)  Psalm  cxxxix.  12, 
(23)  Ezra  ix.  13.  (24)  Daa.ii.  21. 

(25)  Rev.  ii.  2. 


176  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

26  To  death  deserv'd,  shall  Heav'n  the  wretches  send, 
That  all  may  see,  and  each  his  ways  amend. 

27  "  Such  are  the  bitter  fruits  their  sins  produce, 
Who  leave  their  God,  and  all  his  grace  abuse, 
His  truth  reject,  for  wickedness  and  lies, 
Harden  their  hearts,  and  close  their  haughty  eyes. 

28  By  them  oppress'cl,  the  poor,  afflicted  groan  ; 

God  hears  their  cries,  and  sends  deliv'rance  down  \, 
29,30  And  sure  the  peace  his  gracious  arm  effects, 

No  earthly  force  can  harm,  whom  He  protects, 
Nor  arts  of  demagogues  shall  influ'nce  have, 
Who  soothe  and  flatter,  with  design  t'  enslave. 
But  if  his  face  he  hide,  what  storms  arise  ! 
The  day  is  darkness,  and  the  night  surprise  ; 
Fear,  and  distress,  and  anguish  spread  around, 
Nor  private  peace,  nor  public  good  is   found. 

31  "  Surely  'tis  fit  and  just  for  all  like  thee, 
Before  thy  Maker's  throne  to  bow  the  knee, 
And  in  these  words  of  penitence,  adore 

"  I've  borne  chastisement,  and  will  err  no  more  ; 

32  "  My  mind  enlighten,  make  me  know  my  sin, 
"  And  guide  my  footsteps,  lest  I  stray  again.'* 

33  "  Wilt  thou  standout,  still  choose  thy  selfish  lot  ? 
He  will  correct  thee,  shoulclst  thou  choose  or  not. 
SUBMIT  TO  GOD — these  words  HE  speaks — not  I ; 
Then  weigh  them  well,  and  if  thou  dare — reply. 

34  This  is  the  truth,  the  duty,  I  infer • 

Ye  men  of  wisdom,  tell  me,  if  I  err. 

(26)  Psalm  Iviii.  10.  (27)  2  Pet.  ii.  20. 

(28)  James  v.  4.  and  Psalm  xii.  5. 

(29)  2  Sam.  vii.  1.  (:>0)  1  Kings  xii.  28. 

(31)  Psalm  xxxix.  9.  Dan.  ix,  7.  and  Chap  xlii.  5. 

(32)  1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  177 

35  The  words  of  Job,  inspired  by  passion  strong, 
Are  void  of  reason,  inconsistent,  wrong. 

56  FATHER  IN  HEAV'N  !  be  not  ray  pray'r  deny'd— • 
May  Job,  still  obstinate,  be  fully  try'd  ; 
His  errors  teach  him,  cause  him  to  relent, 
And,  of  his  wrongs,  with  heart  and  voice  repent ; 
Lest  wicked  men  an  use  perverse  should  mate 
Of  those  vain  words,  he  so  unwisely  spake. 

37       "  Still  he  presumes,  in  more  audacious  strains  ; 
Maddens  with  rage,  and  all  reproof  disdains  ; 
Shouts  with  contempt,  rebellion  adds  to  sin, 
Blasphemes  his  God,  and  spurns  his  fellow-men. 

XXXV.  "  Doth  thy  own  image,  dress'd  in  colors  bright ; 
Disturb  thy  senses  and  offend  thy  sight  ? 
Preserve  thy  reason,  for  thyself  decide, 
Then,  if  thou  canst,  thy  future  blushes  hide. 
?,  3  Dost  still  defend  the  doctrine  thou  hast  taught, 
As  words  of  reason,  and  with  wisdom  fraught  ? 
"  My  righteousness  th'  Eternal  God's  exceeds, 
"  So  pure  my  heart,  so  upright  are  my  deeds  ; — 
"  Yet,  what  avails  it  to  be  wise  and  good  ? 
"  Virtue's  a  name,  most  us'd,  least  understood  ; 

«  Its  fairest  honors  are  a  crown  of  thorns 

"  And  what  the  profit  neat,  it  e'er  returns  ?" 

(Verse  36.)  My  dsv.re  is,  that  yob  <,nay  be  tried,  &.c. 

This  is  an  apostrophe  to  the  Most  High,  in  the  way  of  a  de 
vout  ejaculation.  In  the  original,  it  is,  My  Father,  let  yob  be  tried. 
This  would  give  peculiar  force  and  animation  to  the  passage  ; 
and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  form  is  not  preserved  in  the 
translation. 

(2)  Rom.  ii.  15.  and  Matt  xxvi.  65. 

(3)  Chap,  ix.- 20. 


IT'S  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

4  "  To  this  inquiry,  I  will  answer  make, 
Both  for  thine  own,  and  thy  companion's  sake. 
But  ere  thou  chargest,  'stablish  well  thy  claim, 
Lest  thou  receive  thy  boasted  dues,  in  shame. 

5  Lift  up  thine  eyes,  behold  yon  azure  sky, 

And  sailing  clouds  ;  how  distant,  and  how  high  ! 
Raise  now  thy  finger,  brush  those  mists  away, 
And  wipe  each  freckle,  from   the  face   of  day. 
Too  short  thine  arm,  alas  !  too  weak  thy  pow'rs, 

To  reach  the  point,  to  which  thy  fancy  tow'rs 

How  great,  how  high  is  God  !  let  Him  be  fear'd, 
Who  form'd  the  earth,  and   Heav'n's  high   arches 
rear'd. 

6  Is  He  dependent  on  a  worm  He  made  ? 
Canst  thou,  indeed,  oblige  Him  with  thine  aid  ? 
If  thou  should  sins  commit— say,  only  one  ; 
Will  He  be  harm'd  ? — if  many,  then  undone  ? 

7  Or,  change  thy  course,  the  righteous  man  display — 
Would  He  receive  great  favors  from  thy  way  ? 

8  By  sin,  thou  may'st  thy  fellow  men  annoy, 

By  righteousness,  advance  their  peace  and  joy. 

9  Of  these,  the  first,  on  earth,  full  oft  we  see, 
In  varied  forms  of  human  misery. 
Unfeeling  tyrants  fill  the  world   with  woe, 
Beneath  oppression's  yoke,  whole  nations  bow  ; 
Unnumber'd  wretches   wear  the  galling  chiin. 
And  in  fell  slav'ry,  cry  for  help,  in  vain. 

(4)  Chap,  xxii.  2, 3.  (5)  Psalm  viii.  3 

(6)  Jer  vii  19. 

(7)  Psalm  xvi.  2.&  1  Chron.  xxix.  14. 

(8)  Eccl.  ix.  18.  and  Gen.  vi.  18. 

(9)  Lukexviii.  3. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  179 

10  But  why  in  vain  ?  because  they  will  not  cry 

To  Heuv'n  for  succor,  nor  on   God  rely  ; 

None  seeks  aright — depress'd  in  dark  despair, 
In  deepest  grief,  none  found  to  ask, "  Oh,  where 
"  My  Maker  Cod,  who  hears  the  humble  pray, 

"  Gives  songs  for  sighs,  and.  changes  night  to  day  ; 

1 1  "  To  breathing  dust,  his  own  fair  image  join'd, 
"  The  active,  rational,  immortal  mind, 

"  Of  wond'rous  pow'rs,  and  Lenities  possess'd, 
"  Bey<~nd  the  flying  fowl,  or  grazing  beast  ?" 

12  They  cry,  indeed,  but  God  no  answer  gives, 
Their  hearts  so  proud,  so  wicked  are  their  lives  ; 

13  For  selfish  pray'rs,  ungracious,   insincere, 
Are  but  abominations  in  his  ear. 

(Verse  13  )  Surely  God  will  not  bear  vanity,  neither  will  tbe  Al 
mighty  regard  it. 

This  is  the  uniform  instruction  of  scripture,  amf  it  is  no  less  a 
dictate  of  enlightened  reason,  that  unless  the  heart'be  right  with 
God,  conformed  to  his  moral  character,  and  actuated  with  a  su 
preme  regard  to  his  glory,  no  duties  are  performed  in  outward 
life,  nor  any  accepfable  prayers  can  be  offered.  God  looketh  up 
on  the  heart,  and  judgeth  according  totruvh  ;  and  his  infinite  ho 
liness  can  never  look  with  appr  bation  or  complacence  upon  a 
heart  supremely  devoted  to  the  service  of  sin,  however  fair  and 
specious  the  visibility,  to  the  view  of  men.  Hence,  the  sacrifi 
ces  of  the  wicked  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord.  They  "  ask 
and  receive  not,  because  they  ask  amiss,  that  they  may  consume 
it  upon  their  lusts  "  "  They  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please 
God  God  is  a  spirit,  and  seeketh  such  to  worship  him,  who 
worship  inspirit  and  in  truth." 

(10)  Psalm  cxlix.  2,  and  Acts  xvi  25 

(11)  Psalm  xciv.  12.  (12)  Pior.  i.  28. 
(13)  Psalm  v.  4. 


189  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

14  Altho'  thy  unbelieving  heart  despair, 
Averse  to  try,  unus'd  to  trust  his  care  ; 

Yet,  wise   his  judgments,  all  his  ways  are  ev'n, 
And  MERCY  still,  piime  attribute  of  Heav'n  : 
Then  trust  in  God,  for  his  salvation  wait, 
And  goodness  infinite  shall  crown  thy  state. 

15  Thy  pride, 'thy  doubts  discard — these  are  thy  sins, 
And  these  the  source,  Avhence  all  thy  mis'ry  springs, 
Thence,  blind  and  harden'd,  in  extreme  of  \voe, 
God's  chast'ning  hand,  thou  canst  not  see,  nor  know; 

16  These  seal  thy  folly,  ope  thy  mouth,  in  vain, 
To  censure  justice,  wrangle  and  complain. 

XXXVI.  "  Patience,  my  friend,  thy  answer  yet  delay, 

I've  somewhat  more  on  God's  behalf  to  say  ; 
5  'Tis  no  light  subject,  I  attempt  to  scan, 
The  righteous  Providence  of  God  to  man. 
Fkitbe  my  thoughts,  my  noblest  pow'rs  employ 'd, 
By  no  vain  phantom  from  the  path  decoy 'd  ; 
I-'ree  scope  I'll  give,  dig  deep,  soar  high,  range  wide 
With  Truth  my  aim,  and  Reason  for  my  guide  ; 
And  all  the  fruit,  an  humble  off 'ring,  bring, 
Of  praise  to  God,  my  Maker  and  my  King. 

4  In  facts,  I  deal,  not  visionary  lore. 

Regard  them  well,  confess,  and  doubt  no  more. 

(Verses  4, 5.)  be  that  is  perfect   in  Knowledge  is   ivitbtbet. 

Behold  God  is  mighty,  and  despisetb  not  any  ;  be  is  mighty  in 

strength  and  wisdom. 

Elihu's  proposition  is  to  demonstrate  to  Job,  the  justice  of  God  ; 
which',  as  he  considered,  Job  had  expressly  impeached.     He  be- 

(14)  Chap  xix  26.  and  Psalm   xxxvii  6. 

(15)  Ezra  ix.  15.  and  Chap.  x»vii.  12. 
(4)  2  Cor.  ii.  17. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  181 

*'  A  God  all-present,  thou  wilt  sure  agree, 
Hath  perfect  knowledge,  thro'  immensity  ; 
Conscious  to  all  thy  thoughts,  asleep,  awake, 
He,  thence,  could  not  thy  character  mistake. 
5       "  If  Pow'r  almighty  singly  fill'd  the  throne, 
No  happiness  had  creatures  ever  known. 
Tho'  strong  his  arm,  benevolent  his  soul  ; 
His  reign  is  happy,  tho'  above  control  ; 
Inctin'd  to  good  ;  as  able  as  inclin'd, 
He  acts  himself,  and  cannot  be  unkind. 

"  Nor   less  his   WISDOM,    than    his  goodness, 

shines  ; 

The  highest  ends,  by  fittest  means,  designs  ; 
Effects  and  causes  all,  throughout  He  views, 
And  sure  the  plans,  He  steadily  pursues. 

"  A  Being  thus  array 'cl,  confess  thou  must, 
With  knowledge,  wisdom^  goodness,  pom'r — is  JUST. 

6  "  His  hand  the  sons  of  wickedness  destroys, 

Th"'  oppress'd  redeems,  and  fills  the  poor  with  joys. 

7  The  people  of  his  love  He  ne'er  forsakes, 
Nor,  cov'nant  mercy,  from  his  chosen  takes. 

gins  with  an  abstract  argument  drawn  from  the'reason  and  nature 
of  things,  and  shews  that  infinite  justice  is  essentially  connected 
with  the  other  necessary  and  acknowledged  attributes  of  the  De 
ity  ;  particularly  his  knowledge,  power,  goodness  and  wisdom. 
All  this,  in  these  two  verses,  is  couched  in  the  concisest  terms 
possible  ;  so  that  it  would  even  entirely  escape  the  notice  of  the 
inattentive  reader.  To  put  this  subject  in  a  clear  light,  and  thus 
give  the  argument  its  proper  force,  it  is  spread  out  ac  large  in  the 
paraphrase. 

(5)  Psalm  li.  17.  (G)  2  Pet.  ii.  9,  and  PC  aim  ix.  4. 

(7)  Psalm  xxxiv.  15,  and  Rev.  iii.  11. 

Q 


J8J  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

His  eyes  are  ever,  on  the  saints  for  good, 
He,  as  a  parent,  carves  their  daily  food, 
Deals  out  their  trials,  heav'nly  comforts  gives  ; 
At  death,  their  spirits  to  himself  receives, 
Call'd  up  to  glory,  freed  from  sin  and  pain, 
With  God  to  dwell,  as  kings,  for  ever  reign. 

8  "  While   passing  thro'  this  scene  of  noise  and 

strife, 

Enduring  all  the  discipline  of  life, 
In  chains  confin'd,  with  galling  fetters  bound, 
By  dark'ning  storms  of  ills  encompass'd  round  : 

9  Their  eyes  he  opens  on  their  sinful  deeds, 

To  see  their  guilt  their  suff' rings  all  exceeds  ; 

10  Gives  them  a  wise  improvement  of  the  rod, 
And  turns  their  souls,  from  sin  and  death  to  God. 

1 1  When  thus,  afflictions,  fruits  of  mercy,  prove, 
And  sinners  draw  t'  obedience  and  love  ; 
Prosperity,  its  charms,  around  them  spreads, 
And  years  of  happiness  roll  o'er  their  heads. 

12  But  if  their  obd'rate  hearts,  unhumbled  still, 
Prove  disobedient  to  his  holy  will  ; 

HeavVs  wrath  pursues  them,  slaughter'd  •with  the 

sword, 
They  die  accurs'd,  and  never  know  the  Lord. 

13  . "  'Tis  thus,  that  hypocrites  of  guileful  heart, 
Deafen  their  ears,  nor  from  their  sins  depart  ; 
Bound  with  distress,  refuse  to  yield,  or  pray, 
But  store  up  wrath  against  the  dreadful  day. 

(8)  Psalm  cvii.  10.  (9)  2  Chron.  xxxiii  12. 

(11;  Psalm  xxxvi.  8.         (12)  1  Cor.  xi.  30. 
(13)  Matt,  xxiii.  27.  and  Rom.  ii.  5. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  185 

14  In  youth  cut  off,  they  find  an  early  grave, 
And  with  lewd  libertines,  their  portion  have. 

15  "  To  humble   souls,  the  Lord  gives  peace  and 

rest, 
And  seals  instruction  to  the  poor  oppress'd. 

16  This,  Job,  by  blest  experience,  thou  hadst  known, 
And  these  rich  comforts  all,  had  been  thine  own  ; 
Hadst  thou,  with  penitence,  confess'd  thy  sin, 
His  grace  implored,  and  sought  thy  God  again. 
Divine  compassion  would  have  rais'd  thee  up, 
Thy  path  enlarg'd,  and  cheer'cl  thy  soul  with  hope, 
"Marrow  and  fatness  o'er  thy  table  strew'd, 

And  all  thy  suff*rings  sanctified  for  good. 

17  Buttho'  chastis'd,  rebellious  is  thy  wiil, 

And  hence,  the  wrath  of  Heav'n  attends  thee  still  ; 
For,  while  thy  pride  and  folly,  thou  wilt  keep, 
Thy  pride  and  folly's  harvest,  thou  shall  reap. 

18  "  Oh,  fear  his  anger,  tremble  and  beware, 
Lest  sudden  death  consign  thee  to  despair. 
No  ransom  then,  can  for  thy  life  ba  giv'n, 

Nor  cries,  nor  tears,  avert  the  wrath  of  Heav'n. 

19  Thy  riches  trust  not — j-istice  ne'er  was  sold, 
Nor  turn'd  by  force,  nor  brib'd  by  heaps  of  Gold, 

20  "  Pant  not  for  darkness  and  the  night  of  death, 
Thy  pains  to  ease,  and  stop  thy  lab'ring  breath. 
What  multitudes,  by  sudden  pKigues  destroy'd, 
At  night  cut  down,  have  left  their  places  vokl ! 

21  Heed  well  thy  wishes,  Job,  refrain  thy  voice, 
Lest  Gocl,  in  judgment,  grant  thy  guilty  choice. 

(14)  Psalm  lv.  23.  andDeut.  xxiii  17. 

(15)  Psalm  Ixxii.  4.          (16;  Psalm  xiii.  19.  8c  xxxvi   8. 
(18)  Psalm  xlix.  7.  (19)  Prov  xi.  4.  &  Zepli.  i.  8. 
(20)  Exod.  xii;  29.           (21)  Psalm  Ixvi.  13. 


184  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Presumptuous   wish  ! — wouldst  thou  not   wish  ip 

vain, 

Wish  more  for  patience,  than  release  from  pain  : 
Deceiv'd,  indeed,  thou  art — thy  choice  hath  been, 
Not  suffering  evil,  hut  committing  sin. 

22  "  Yet,  hope  in  God,  and  trust  his  pow'r  to  save 
From  pain,  from  sickness,  and  the  gaping  grave  ; 
This  for  the  humble,  oft  his  hand  hath  wrought, 
And  none  shall  wander,  hy  his  spirit  taught. 

23  "  Whose  skill,  hut  his  shall  guide  his  wond'rous 

way  ? 

What  pow'r  superior  teach  him  to  obey  ? 
Shall  sinful  men,  the  beings  of  an  hour, 
Condemn  his  justice,  or  defy  his  pow'r  ? 

24  "  God's  works  of  wonder,  which  our  eyes  behold  ; 
By  poets  sung,  by  prophets  long  foretold, 

Now  celebrate  with  honor — — Him  adore, 
Extol  his  goodness,  and  complain  no  more. 

25  These,  seen  by  all,  by  all  but  fools  admir'd, 

The  wiseinstruct, whose  breasts  with  truth  arefir'd  ; 
So  bright  they  shine,  so  wide  their  beams  extend, 
'Beyond  the  bounds,  where  time  and  nature  end. 

26  "  How   great  is   God  !  the   Lord   of  Hosts,  his 

name  ! 

Mighty  his  arm,  and  glorious  is  his  fame  ! 
We  know  him  not — so  far  above  our  sight, 
In  vain  we  soar  to  reach  his  awful  height. 
Infinite  ages  ere  the  world  began, 
Or  lifeless  dust  was  quicken'd  into  man, 

(22)  Matt.  xvii.  5.  (23)  Dan.  iv.  35. 

(24)  Rev.  xv.  iii.  (25)  Psalm  xcii.  i. 

(26)  1  Ccr.  xiii.  12.  and  Psalm  xc.  2.     • 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  18 

JEHOVAH  liv'd     •    Eternity's  his  own- 
Great  Cause  uncuusM — all-knowing,  yet  unknown. 
His  hand  unseen   the   universe  directs, 
From  least  to  greatest,  ev'ry  change  effects. 

27  Ascending  vapors,  by  his  high  comirund, 
In  rains  descending,  fertilize  the  kind  : 

28  The  misty  clouds,  in  gentle  show'rs  distil, 
Discharge  their  treasures,  and  display  his  skill. 

29  Mysterious  Providence  !  who  can  explain 
The  Jaws  of  nature,  for  a  show'r  of  rain  ? 

How  the  black  rising  cloud,  by  swift  winds  driv'n, 
Expands,  and  darkens  all  the  face  of  Heav'n — 

30  By  what  explosions  caus'd,  the  thunders  roar, 
Rend  the  blue  vault,  and  shake  the  frighted  shore  ; 
While  sheets  of  lightning,  in  succession  blaze, 
And  nights  drear  mantle  covers  earth  and  seas. 

31  "  But  midst  the  darkness,  moral  truth  refines  ; 
God's  wrath,  or  goodness  in  the  tempest  shines. 
O'erwhelming  floods  his  righteous  frowns  attest, 
While  genial  show'rs  give  food  to  man  and  beast. 

32  "  Oh,  sight  amazing  !  view  yon  western  sky  ! 
The  clouds  ascend  !  the  prodigy  is  nigh   ! 

In  awful  pomp,  the  threat'ning  storm  comes  on, 
Dust  fills  the  air,  and  clouds  obscure  the  sun  ; 

33  Hoarse-rumbling,  distant  thunder  greets  the  ear, 
Loud,  and  more  loud,  proclaims  the  tempest  near, 
The  grazing  herds  look  up,  by  instinct  led, 
Snuff'with  affright,  and  hasten  to  their  shed — 

(27)  Ps-alm  cxlvii.  8.  (28)  Psalm  Ixviii.  9. 

(29)  Psalm  civ  3.  8c  xviii.  12.  (30)  Chap,  xxxvii.  3. 

(31)  Acts  xiv.  17.  &  Heb.  vi.  7.  (32)  1  Kings  xviii.  44, 

Q2 


186  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Nature  is  hush'd,  and  trembling  waits  the  shock, 
Where  now,  the  wretch  who  dares  his  Maker  mock? 

XXXVII.  "  It  comes,  it  comes  !  dark  fear  my  soul  appals, 
And  leaps  my  heart  to  burst  its  prison  walls. 

2  Hark !  hark  !  be  still  !  rove  not  your  tho'ts  abroad  ; 
With  rev'rence  hear  :  it  is  the  voice  of  God. 

3  From  North  to  South  it  spreads,  from  East  to  West, 
And  fire  and  storm  attend  his  high  behest. 

4,  5  In  awful  majesty,  his  thunders  roll, 

And  streaming  lightnings  blaze,  from  pole  to  pole  ; 
Their  splendors  glare  insufferably  bright, 
Astound  the  senses,  blind  our  feeble  sight  ; — 
Next  peal  on  peal  the  tortur'd  ether  rend  ; 
Ileav'n,  earth  and  air,  in  dread  confusion  blend  ; 
The  shaken  clouds,  dissolving  into  rain, 
In  bursting  cataracts,  descend  amain. 

"  Marv'ious  his  works,  unnumber'd,  without  end? 
Which  all  may  see,  but  none  can  comprehend. 
The  rolling  seasons,  in  their  varied  forms, 
Mild  vernal  show'rs,  and  desolating  storms, 
The  fruits  of  Autumn  and  the  sunny  field, 
The  joys  which  harvest  and  the  vintage  yield, 
The  frosts  of  Winter,  and  the  flow'rs  of  May, 
All  own  his  hand,  his  sov'reign  voice  obey. 

6  That  men  his  work  may  see,  confess  his  might, 
Let  there  be  enow,  He  saith, — and  earth  is  white. 

7  The  year's  old  age,  cold,  dreary  Winter's  come, 
The  village  swains,  in  crowds,  now  hasten  home, 

(Chap,  xxxvii   1.)  Chap,  xxxviii.  1.     (2)  Amos  iii.  8. 
(5)  Psalm  Ixxvii.  19.  (6)  Gen.  i.  3. 

(7)  Exod.  ix.  19.  and  Psalm  cxi.  2. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  1ST 

Forsake  the  fields,  their  cares  and  toils  give  o'er, 
Kindle  their  fires,  and  bar  the  cottage  door. 

8  Wild  beasts  of  prey,  retreating  too,  wkh   care, 
To  darksome  crves,  and  mountain  dens  repair  ; 
While  feather'd  songsters,  birds  of  various  wing, 
Seek  warmer  climes,  and  wait  the  cheering  Spring. 

9  "  From  various  points,  th'  aerial  changes  flow, 
From  Southern  regions,  driving  whirlwinds  blow  ; 
Next,  the  fierce  North  wind,  sweeps  the  azure  sky, 
The  clouds  dispels,  and  brings  cold  Winter  nigh  ; 

10  The  earth,  to  stone,  the  lakes,  to  ice  congeal'd, 
Present  a  wide,  unvaried,  milk-white  field  ;. 
Nature  is  shrouded,  life  and  verdure  gone, 
The  forest  leafless,  barren  ev'ry  lawn. 

H'      "  But  lo  !  the  Spring,  at  God's  command,  returns, 
Warm  breezes  blow,  and  genial  splendor  burns  ;— 
The  clouds  obedient,  fit  the  earth  for  flow'rs, 
Toil  at  their  work,  and  fall  in  fruitful  show'rs  ; 
Beams  the  warm  sun,  the  op'ning  clouds  between, 
And  vivid  rainbows  deck  the  gladsome  scene. 

12  "  Those  floating  cisterns,  borne  by  winds  on  high, 

At  God's  supreme  command,  or  stand,  or  fly  ; 

He  points  their  path,  his  orders  they  obey, 

O'er  the  wide  earth,  and  ever  rolling  sea. 

13  On  different  errands,  sent  in  diff'rent  forms, 

Of  gentle  show'rs,  or  inundating  storms  ; 

While  those,  in  mercy,  to  his  creatures  sent, 
These  are  in  justice,  for  their  chastisement. 

(8)  Psalm  civ.  20,  21. 
( 10)  Psaim  xviii   15. 
(12)  Psalm  civ.  24. 


rs«  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

14  "  Hear  then,   O  Job,  God's  wond'rous  works  ex 

plore, 
His  hand  confess,  be  silent  and  adore. 

15  For,  dost  thou  know:  or  canst  by  search  declare, 
When  God  the  vapors  nas'd  in  empty  air  ? 

Or  when  his  sun,  He  caus'd  with  radiance  bright, 
To  cheer  the  Heav'ns,  and  skirt  the  cloudswith  light? 

16  Canst  thou  the  clouds  expkdn — the  causes  whence? 
They're  pois'd  in  air,  tho'  weighty,  close  and  dense  ; 
In  shapes  more  varied,  drest  in  brighter  hue, 
Than  fancy  form'd,  or  pencil  ever  drew  ? 

Are  these  tlvj  works  ?  in  these,  thy  wisdom  shine  ? 
Or  fruits  of  knowledge,  and  of  pow'r   divine  ? 

17  "  When  Spring   returns,   and  southern    breezes- 

blow, 

And  the  young  year  is  freed  from  frost  and  snow  ; 
Whence  do  thy  garments,  by  their  warmth  oppress* 
And  force  thee  to  assume  a  summer-dress  ? 

1 8  "  Didst  thou  with  Him,  outspread  th5  impervious, 

sky, 
A  molten  mirror  to  the  raptur'd  eye  ? 

19  If  such  thy  wisdom,  teach  us  how  to  pray  ; 
We,  stupid  creatures,  know  not  what  to  say. 

20  "  Should  I  this  folly  to  my  guilt  annex, 

To  judge  that  wisdom  which  the  world  directs  ; 
Ope  my  proud  lips  t'  address  his  holy  ear, 
With  bold  presumption,  destitute  of  fear  ? 
Shame  on  the  sinner,  who  thus  dares  to  hope  ; 
In  floods  of  wrath,  the  wretch  is  swallow 'd  up. 

(14)  Gen.  xiv.  13.     .    (18)  Isaiah  xliv.34.  &,  Rom.  i.  20. 
(19)  Chap.  xiii.  3.     "  (20)  Matt.  xii<  37. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  189 

2 1  "  Tho'  clouds  and  darkness  veil  his  wond'rous 

way, 

As  thick'ning  vapours  hide  the  source  of  day  ; 
The  winds  shall, ev'ry  dark'ning  cloud  dispel, 
His  glorious  justice  shine,  without  a  veil ; 

22  A  golden  calm,  the  storm  of  life  shall  crown, 
And  God's  dread  Majesty  be  clearly  shown. 

23  «  Great   is    th'  Almighty — great   his    wonders 

wrought; 

In  this  blind  state,  alas  !  we  know  Him  not— 
In  vain  we  search,  we  strive  and  toil  in  vain, 
We  grope  in  darkness,  groan  with  sin  and  pain  ;— . 
But  faith  can  rise,  where  sense  and  reason  faint, 
Support  the  weak,  and  guide  the  wilder'd  saint, 
Bring  things  invisible,  to  clearest  view, 
That  God,  tho'  great  in  pow'r,  is  righteous  too  ; 

24  The  humble  soul,  with  guardian  care  protects, 
The  proud  abhors,  the  selfish  heart  rejects  ; 
Kind  in  his  anger,  all  his  chast'nings  just, 
Hence,  claims  our  homage,  and  our  highest  trust." 

(21)  1  Cor  xiii.  9.  (23)  1  Tim.  vi.  IS. 

(24)  Mate.  x.  23.  an4  xi.  25. 


PART  VI. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


This  closing  Part  opens  with  the  grand  catastrophe  of  the  sacred 
drama.  The  Almighty  interposes  with  a  sublime  and  solemn 
address  to  Job — challenges  him  to  answer — impresses  his  igno 
rance  and  weakness  by  a  view  of  the  wonderful  works  of  Cre 
ation  and  Providence — the  phenomena  of  Nature,  in  the  Earth, 
Air,  Sea,  and  Heavens.  In  this  view  also,  He  treats  of  vari 
ous  terrestrial  animals,  viz  the  valid  Goats  and  Hinds — the  "wild 
Ass — the  U.ricorn — the  Peacock  and  Ostrich — the  Horse — the 
H,iwk  and  Eagle.  In  a  sfrain  of  sublime  irony,  He  challenges 
Job  to  display  his  own  righteousness,  power  and  wisdom. 
Points  him  to  examples  of  creature  strength,  in  the  Behemoth 
and  Leviathan,  evidencing  the  great  power  of  the  Creator. 

Job  humbly  submits    himself  to   God — confesses   his  ignorance, 
pride  and  presumption,  with  peni'ent  professions  of  his  self- 
abhorrence  — The    M  >st  High  determines  the  controversy,  so 
long  debafed — sustains    the  cause    of  Job,    and  condemns  and 
reproves  his  three   friends  for  their  erroneous  reasonings.     He 
directs  them    to  offer  sacrifice   for   their  oft'ence,  and  appoints 
Job  their  priest,  to  offer  and  to  intercede  by  prayer  for  fhem. 
The  Book  then  closes   with  the  account  of  the  restoration  of 
Job  to  health  and  happiness — the  mutual   gratnlations  and  re 
joicings  of  his  friends— *his  wealth  double  to  that  of  his  forme 
state — his  children  and  posterity — his  peaceful  and  prosperov 
old  age,  and  death. 


XXXVIII.  OHORT  was  the  pause— while  from  the 

brightening  North, 
A  strange  portentous  whirlwind,  issuing  forth, 

(Verse  1  )  1'hen  the  Lord  answered  yob  out  of  the  whirlwind,  &c. 
In  the  introduction  of  this  grand  and  solemn  scene,  several  in 
structive  particulars  may  be  remarked,  relative  to  the  connection 
of  circumstances  by  which  it  was  ushered  in,  and  the  allusion 
which  these  bear  to  the  general  analogy  of  scripture  images.-— 
As  to  the_/?m,  it  is  evident  that  the  imagery  of  this  scene,  has 
an  immediate  connection,  \v  ith  that  of  the  preceding,  and  the 
circumstances  which  took  place,  during,  and  at  the  ck.se  of  Eli- 
iu's  speech.  The  theory  is  this  ;  which  though  it  be  but  a  con 
jecture,  appears  highly  probable.  "While  he  was  setting  forth  the 
wisdom  of  God  in  his  Providence,  and  his  awful  power  and  ma 
jesty  in  the  tempest  ;  he  descried,  to  his  astonishment,  the  scene, 
viewed  in  description,  swiftly  approaching  in  reality — black 
clouds  arose  in  the  West,  and  very  suddenly  a  terrific  thunder 
storm  ensues.  He  proceeds,  in  still  more  glowing  and  animated 
figures,  to  paint  the  present  scene,  thus  rendered  indescribably 
solemn  and  impressive. — The  storm  at  length  subsides,  and  at 
the  close  of  his  speech,  he  discovers  a  light  springing  up  in  the 
North,  of  bright  golden  radiance,  and  remarks,  (Chap,  xxxvii.22) 
Fair  weather  Cometh  our  of  the  North  ;  or,  as  it  is  in  the  original 
Hebrew,  "  gold  cometh  out  of  the  North."  This  was  accompa 
nied  at  the  same  time,  with  an  unusual  whirlwind  from  that  point 
-^-unusual,  because  from  the  North  ; — for  Elihu  says  in  the  9th 
verse  of  the  chapter,  "  out  of  the  South  comeih  the  whirlwind." 
This  whirlwind  at  once  swept  off  all  the  clouds,  and  this  light  ex 
panded,  and  overspread  the  whole  visible  horizon  ;  so  that,  this 

was  not  as  most  imagine,  a  dark,  cloudy  and  tempestuous,  but  a 

bright,  clear  and  luminous  scene. 
(1)  1  Kings  xix.  11. 


192  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Swift  in  its  progress,  s\vept  th'  horrizon  o'er  ; — 
The  thunders  hush'd,  the  lightnings  blaz'd  no  more, 

With  respect  to  the  second  idea,  viz.  the  conformity  of  these 
circumstances  to  the  general  analogy  of  scripture  images — let  it 
be  noticed,  that  this  shining  light  and  this  northern  \obirlyrind, 
were  both  singular  and  portentous.  As  such,  they  struck  the 
minds  of  Job  and  hisfrinds  with  the  most  solemn  awe,  arrested 
their  whole  attention,  and  thus  prepared  them  with  reverence  to 
receive  the  address  of  the  ETERNAL  MAJESTY. — Light  and 
wind  are  well  known  scripture  symbrls,  or  tokens  of  the  divine 
presence.  Of  the  first  of  these,  the  burning  bush — the  pillar  of 
fire  by  nigat,  which  attended  the  Israelites  in  the  wilderness — the 
tremendous  scene  of  Sinai,  when  the  Lord  descended  upon  it  in 
fire — the  Urim  and  Ybunimitn,  and  Shechinab  rays — the  various 
appearances  of  God  to  men,  under  that  dispensation — and  the 
remarkable  star  of  Bethlehem,  which  called  the  sages  of  the 
East  at  the  birth  of  Emmanuel  ;  are  so  many  examples  and 
proofs.  Said  Elihu  in  the  verse  forecited,  "fair  -weather  cometh 
out  of  the  North;  with  God  is  terrible  inajestf' — and  Paul,  (Heb. 
xii.  29,)  "  our  God  is  a  consuming  jfirc  "  The  wind  is  also  a  s\m. 
bcl,  or  token  of  the  divine  presence  ;  and  in  special  manner,  an 
appropriate  figure  to  denote  the  invisible  operations  and  powerful 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Witness  Ezekiel's  vision  of  the 
valley  of  drv  bones — our  Saviour's  words  to  Niccdemus,  (John  iii. 
8.)  "The  -mind  bloweth  where  it  listeih,"  ike. — and  that  most 
wonderful  effusion  of  the  Hoi/  Ghost  upon  the  disciples,  at  the 
day  of  Pentecost  ;  in  which,  bcth  these  symbols  weie  united  f  to 
signify  that  both  law  and  gospel  were  fulfilled  in  Chris; — -l.r.t 
Jew  and  Gentile,  Old  Testament  and  New  were  united  in  Him. 
"  And  suddenly  there  came  a  sound  from  Heaven,  as  of  a  nub- 
ing  mighty  wind,  and  it  filled  all  the  place  vvh:re  they  were  sit- 
ting  ;  and  there  appeared  unto  them  cloven  tongues  as  ofj?;r, 
and  it  sat  upon  each  of  them." 

Thus  we  may  see  the  reason  and  prrpriety  of  the  Lord's  speak 
ing  to  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  1§3 

Struck  with  amazement,  speechless  and  aghast, 

They  list'ning  stood  ; when,   from  the  mighty 

blast, 

The  voice  divine,  in  awful  grandeur,  broke, 
And  thus  to  Job,  the  LORD  ALMIGHTY  spoke. 
3  "  Who  is  the  man  thus  dares  my  ways  impeach, 
And  veils  my  counsels,  with  his  senseless  speech  ? 

3  Stand  forth  prepar'd,  collected,  self-possess'd, 
My  questions  answer,  and  thy  worth  attest. 

4  When  Earth,  I  founded,  (if  thou  knowest,  tell) 
In  what  far  distant  region,  didst  thou  dwell  ? 

5  Who  swept  the  compass  to  describe  its  round  ? 
Who  stretch'd  the  line  to  mete  its  utmost  bound  ? 

•6  On  what  firm  pillars,  stands  the  steadfast  base, 
That  props  the  pond'rous  fabric  in  its  place  ? 

Who  first  design'd  it laid  the  corner  stone, 

And  rear'd  the  building,  'till  the   work  was  clone  ? 

7  When  rolling  spheres  their  music  first  began, 
Adoring  angels  hail'd  the  birth  of  man, 
Kright  sons  of  mom,  their  joyful  pxans  sung, 
And  Heav'n's  high  arches,  with  loud  anthems  rung. 

"  Who  chain'd  the  Ocean  with  a  girth  of  sand, 
And  plac'd  its  shore  a  bulwark  to  the  land  ; 

8  When  from  dark  Chaos'  womb  it  issu'd  forth, 
And  strove  to  gain  the  empire  of  the  earth  ? 

9  Its  bed  I  made,  encompass'd  with  the  strand, 
Clouds,  for  its  garment,  night,  its  swaddling  band  ; 

10,11  These  be  thy  shores,  and  these  thy  bounds,  I  said, 
Thus  far  may'st  come,  but  here  thy  waves  be  stay 'd. 

(2)  Prov   xix.  21.  and  1  Tim.  i.  7.  (4)  Psalm  civ  5. 

(7)  Ps.  cxlviii.  2,  3.     (8$  Ps.  civ.  9.  Prov.  viii.  29.  &  Jer.v.22, 
(10)  Ps.  xxxiii.  7.  (11)  Ps.  xciii.  4. 

R 


19*  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

12  Hast  thou  indeed,  since  Nature  gave  tliee  birth, 
Giv'n  laws  to  Nature,  and  the  changing  earth  ? — » 
The  sun  directed,  when,  and  where  to  rise, 
Aurora,  when  to  blush  in  orient  skies  ; 

13  Its  beams  to  earth's  remotest  bounds  extend, 
And  speed  the  wicked  to  their  fearful  end  ? 

14  As  the  soft  clay,  by  plastic  seal  impress'd, 
Earth  by  its  light,  in  beauteous  tints  be  dress'd  ; 

(Verses  13,  14.)  That  it  might  take  bold  of  the  ends  <f  the  earth, 
that  the  -wicked  might  be  shaken  out  of  it  ?  It  is  turned  as  clay 
to  the  seal,  and  they  s'and  as  a  garment. 

This  is  truly  the  most  difficult  and  inexplicable  passage  in  the 
whole  book  of  Job.  The  figures  are  to  us  so  distant,  and  the 
allusions  so  buried  in  the  shades  of  antiquity,  that  like  the  inscrip 
tion  of  the  time-worn  monument,  we  can  but  only  guess  and  spell 
out  its  meaning.  Mr.  Young,  in  his  poetic  paraphrase  of  this  part 
of  the  book  of  J  b,  thought  best  to  pass  it  over  in  utter  silence. 
It  is  hoped,  however,  that  it  will  not  be  accounted  want  of 
modesty  in  modern  bards,  not  to  fellow  his  example.  Three 
questions  arise  from  the  reading  of  this  passage  : — 

1.  How  it  is  that  the  wicked  are  shaken  out  of  the  earth  by 
the  morning  light  ;  or  what  is  meant  by  the.  expression  ? 

2.  What,  by,  it  is  turned  as  clay  to  the  seal  ?  and, 

3.  What,  by,  they  stand  as  a  garment  ? 

The  antecedent  to  the  relative  it,  in  the  seeond,  appears  to  be 
the  earth— and  to  ttey,  in  the  third,  to  be  the  wicked.— A.*  the 
second  question  is  rather  disconnected,  we  will  first  attempt  to 
answer  it,  by  s*a"ing  the  following  opinion  :  viz.  That  the  natur 
al  and  visible  objects  upon  the  surface  of  the  earth,  shrouded  and 
obscured  in  the  darkness  of  midnight  ;  by  the  returningbeams  of 
morning  light,  are  renewed  and  rendered  visible,  and  as  it  were 
brought  into  being  afresh,  as  the  figures  upon  the  wax  cr  clay, 
are  impressed,  and  brcught'into  view  by  the  application  of  the 

seal. 

(15)  Psalm  Ixxiv.  16.      (13)  Exod.  xiv.  27. 
14    Esther  vii.  8. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Fair  signatures  of  truth  and  wisdom  glow, 
Writ  by  the  beams  of  Heav'n  on  all  below  ? 
15  While  guilty  culprits,  with  their  cov'rings 
In  darkness  shrouded,  are  to  death  consign'd  ; 
The  arm  of  violence  uplifted,  falls, 
And  the  proud  spoiler  now  for  mercy  calls. 

The  first  and  third  questions  are  necessarily  connected,  refer 
to  the  same  subject,  and  may  both  be  solved  by  the  same  answer, 
if  a  right  clue  of  investigation  can  be  found.  As  keys  to  unlock 
this  mysterious  passage,  the  two  following  data  are  humbly  sub 
mitted. 

1.  That  it  was  the  invariable  practice  of  the  ancients,  to  hrl  j  i 
their  courts  of  justice,  and  condemn,  and  lead  off  malefactors  to 
execution  in  the  morning.     As  soon  as  the  day  broke,  their  crim 
inals  were  brought  to  the  judgment-seat — there  tried,  condemned, 
and  immediately  executed,  and  so  shaken  out  of  the  earth — not  by 
banishment,  which  was  then  a  penalty  unused,  bnt  by  capital  pun 
ishment.     This   appears    from    Jeremiah  xxi.  12.    "  O  house  of 
D.:vi.l,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  execute  jit  Igmsnt  in  the  mowing,"  &c. 
Our  blessed  Saviour  was  condemned,  and  led  to  crucifixion  by  the 
hands  of  the  wicked.  Jews,  in  the  morning. 

2.  It  was  their  custom  also,  as  soon  as  a  criminal  was  senten 
ced,  to  cover  his  face — as  in  Esther  vii    8.  "  As  the  word  went 
out  of  the  king's  mouth,  they  covered  Haman'syace."     Now,  to 
apply — May  it  not   be  understood,  as  if   God  had  said  to  Job, 
"  D'dst  thou  not  know  and  remember,  wh'le  executing  the  office  of 
Judge,  and  sentencing  the  wicked  to  death,  that  thou  art  depend 
ent  on  me — that  that  Being  who  causeth  the  day-spring  to  know 
its  place,  and  the  morning  light  to  revisit  the  earth,  the  time  for 
thee  to  exercise  thy  power,  doth  also  commission  thee  with  it." 

2t>c',  (that  is,  the  -wicked)  stan?!  as  a  garment — their  faces  are  cov 
ered — they  are  shrouded  in  darkness — the  morning  to  them  is 
the  shadow  of  death.  This  idea  is  strengthened  by  tke  next  verse ; 
"  And  from  the  wicked  their  light  is  wkhhclden,  and  the  high 
arm  shall  be  broken." 

(15)  Chap,  xviii.  5.  and  Psalm  x.  15. 


IK  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

16  Hast  thou  explor'd  old  Ocean's  deepest  bed, 
And  trac'd  its  sources  to  their  fountain  head  ? 
Beneath  the  waves,  ten  thousand  fathoms  down, 
Walk'd  unappall'd,  the  dark  abyss  profound  ? 

1 7  Or,  passing  further,  hast  thou  ever  been, 
And  paid  a  visit  to  the  world  unseen  ; 
Death's  dark  and  dreary  valley  travelPd  o'er, 
And  knock'd  for  entrance,  at  Hell's  awful  door  I 

18  "  Hast  thou  disco ver'd,  speak,  and  let  us  hear, 
The  breadth  exact  of  this  terraqueous  sphere, 
What  space  between  th'  Equator's  burning  ray, 
And  the  cold  glimm'ring  beam  of  polar  day  ? 

19  "If  such  thy  knowledge,  wond'rous  teacher,  tell? 
In  what  fur  mansions,  light  and  darkness  dwell ; 

20  What  path  conducts  thee  to  their  native  seat, 
Whence  they  proceed,  and  whither  they  retreat. 
In  what  vast  dormitories  were  they  kept, 
While  ere  Creation,  unborn  Nature  slept  ; 
Nor  heard,  as  yet,  the  all-creating  word, 

"  Let  there  be  light," — when  light  obey'd  its  Lord. 

21  "  Hast  thou  this  wisdom,  by  thyself  obtain'd, 
Because  then  born,  or  since  by  study  gain'd  ? 
Wast  thou  a  witness  of  Creation's  scene  ? 
And  have  thy  years,  a  life  of  ages  been  ? 

22  "  Hast  thou  ascended  to  the  clouds' on  high, 
And  search'd  the  boundless  treasures  of  the  sky, 
Those  moving  magazines  of  hail  and  snow, 
Whence  thither  brought,  and  from  what  cause  they 


grow 


23  My  hand  them  gather'd,  by  my  pow'r  they're  stor'd. 
And  at  my  word,  on  guilty  mortals  pour'd  ; 
(22)  Pbahn  cxxxv.  7.        (2$) 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  197 

With  flaming  thunderbolts,  in  fury  driv'n, 
The  grand  artill'ry  of  avenging  Heav'n. 

24  "  Who  gives  the  light,  thro'  clurk'ning  clouds  its 

way, 

And  streaks  the  firmament,,  with  night  and  day  ; 
Whence,  from  the  East  the  waken'd  breezes  rise, 
Fan  the  wide  earth,  and  sweep  the  azure  skies  ? 

25  Who  bade  the  waters  their  fixt  courses  keep, 
When  rais'd  in  air,  or  rolling  to  the  deep  ? 
Whose  finger  mark'd  the  forked  lightning's  path, 
And  taught  the  thunders  whereto  spend  their  wrath? 

26,27  When  fertilizing  show'rs  descend  in  haste, 
On  desert  places,  desolate  and  waste, 
That  blooming-wilds-,  with  herbs  and  flowrets  dress'd. 
The  lonely  dwelling  of  the  savage  beast, 
Might  speak  the  pow'r  and  providence  of  God, 
Where  art  ne'er  came,  nor  human  being  trocle. 

28       "  From  whence  the  show'r  ?  its  generation  show, 
And  tell  the  pedigree  of  rain  and  snow. 

39   What  sire  begat,  what  mother  did  conceive 
The  pearly  dew-drops  of  the  humid  eve  ? 
Who  stands  the  parent  of  cold  Winter's  host  ? 
Of  whom  were  born  the  ice  and  hoary  frost  ? 

30  Like  stone  congeal'd,  the  streams  are  frozen  o'er, 
And  chain'd  the  surging  waves  from  shore  to  shore, 

31  "  Canst  thou  obstruct  Pleiades'  rise  and  pow'rs. 
Clothing  the  vernal  fields  with  fragrant  flow'rs  ? 
Or  burst  the  bondage  of  Orion's  reign, 

Whose  icy  fetters  bind  the  earth  and  main  I 

(26)  Psalm  cvii.  35.  (28)  Jere.  xiv.  22, 

(29)  Psalm,  cxlvii.  16.          ( -1)  Amos  v,  8. 
R  2 


198  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

32  Canst  them  command  the  *signs  of  Heav'n  t*  appear, 
Each  in  his  month  to  rule  the  varying  year  ? 

Or  guide  the  t  Constellations  as  they  roll, 
Like  faithful  sons  around  the  parent  pole  ? 

33  "  Dost  thou,  vain  mm,  Heav'ns  ordinances  know ? 
Canst  thou  subject  them  to  a  pow'r  below  ? 

Will  they,  obsequious  to  thy  sov'reign  nod, 
Bow  to  the  sceptre  of  an  earthly  God  ? 

34  Try  now  thy  strength,  stretch   forth   thy   mighty 

hand, 

Lift  up  thy  voice  ;  the  elements  command  ; 
Speak  to  the  clouds,  to  inundate  the  shore, 
Call  the  tornado,  bid  the  tempest  roar 

35  Let  vivid  light'nings  fly,  at  thy  command, 
Lead  on  the  storm,  and  blaze  to  ev'ry  land  ; 
With  thy  strong  voice,  make  awful  thunders  roll, 
And  stamp  an  earthquake  to  the  farthest  pole. 
Will  each  attend  thee  ?  all  united  say, 

Here  are  thy  servants,  speak  and  we'll  obey  ? 
56       "  Who  gave  to  man  his  intellectual  part, 
The  thinking  mind  and  understanding  heart  ? 
Whose   quick'ning  breath  the  deathless  flame  in 
spires, 
That  kindles  hope,  and  burns  with  strong  desires  ? 

37  "  Who  by  his  wisdom  makes  the  vapors  rise, 
Numbers  the  clouds,  and  spreads  them  round  the 

skies  ? 

38  When  copious  show'rs  have  drench'd  the  parched 

plains, 
Whose  potent  hand  can  stay  the  falling  rains, 

*  Mazzarotb.  +  Arcturus  and  bit  sons.      Sec  Note  on 

chap.  ix.  verse  9.  (36)  Eccles.  ii.  26. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  i9* 

The  clouds  dispel,  the  light  of  day  restore, 
And  with  warm  sunshine  gladden  all  the  shore  ? 

39  "  Wilt  thou  provide  the  Lion's  dcdly  food, 
Hunt  for  his  prey,  and  sate  his  thirst  for  blood  ; 

40  When  his  young  famish'd  whelps,    with   hunger 

growl, 
Couch  in  their  dens,  or  under  coverts  prowl  ? 

41  "  Who  hears  the  Raven  caw,  with  hunger  hoarse, 
And  feeds  his  young  ones,  with  their  diet  coarse  ? 
What  time  his  nestlings  cry,  they  rove  abroad, 
Scour  o'er  the  fields  and  seek  their  meat  from  God. 

XXXIX.  «  Hast  thou  full  knowledge  of  the  brutal  race, 
That  range  the  wilds,  and  o'er  the  deserts  graze  ? 
What  certain  rules,  by  Nature's   laws  assign'd, 
To  the  wild  mountain  Goat  and  timid  Hind  ? 
2  Gestation's  period  canst  thou  tell  how  long, 

When  they  conceive,  and  when  bring  forth  their 


young 


3  The  lab'ring  dam,  with  agonizing  throes, 
Ejects  her  burden,  and  shakes  oft"  her  woes. 

4  The  tender  Kid,  the  beauteous,  fleety  FaAvn, 
Spring  with  the  grass,  and  flourish  with  the  corn  ; 
Without  the  aid  of  human  care  or  skill, 

By  instinct  taught,  their  parts  they  well  fulfil. 

5  "  Whose   sov'reign  hand,    whose  high  and   fixt 

decree 
Hath  loos'd  his  bands,  and  sent  the  wild  Ass  free  ? 

6  The  lonely  wilderness  his  house  I've  made, 
The  barren  heaths  are  for  bis  spacious  bed  ; 

(39)  Psalm  civ.  21.  (41)  Psalm  cxlvii.  9. 


300  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

7  Untam'd,  uncaught  by  human  fraud  or  force, 
He  scorns  the  driver,  in  his  way  ward  course  ;. 

8  Seeks  his  coa.se  pasture  on  the  mountain  topS| 
And  for  his  food,  each   verdant  bramble  crops. 

9  "  See  next,  the  Unicorn,  of  strength  so  great ! 
Will  he  consent  to  serve  thee  for  his  meat  ? 
Lodge  by  thy  crib,  his  independence  wave, 

And  cringe  and  court  thee,  like  a  home-bom  slave  r 

10  Canst  thou  compel  his  stubborn  neck  to  yield, 
To  wear  the  yoke,  and  plough  thy  furrow'd  field  ? 

11  Wilt  thou,  with  safety,  in  his  strength  confide, 
While  stretch M  at  ease,  thou  shalt  at  home  abide, 

12  To  till  thy  ground,  the  precious  seed  to  rear, 
And  the  rich  harvest  to  thy  gran'ry  bear  ? 

13  "  Gaze  at  the  Peacock,  view  the  peerless  bird — 
Whence  his  rich  garb  ?  from  whose  creating  word  ? 
In  all  the  pride  of  varying  colors  dress'd, 

His  beateous  form  unrivall'd  stands  confess'd, 
Blight  mimic  gems  his  spreading  orb  assumes, 
And  suns  and  rainbows  dance  upon  his  plumes. 

"  Or  to  the  Ostrich  gavest  thou  her  wings, 
And  princely  feathers,  ornaments  for  kings  ? 
18   Who,  when  in  Right  she  rears  her  lofty  head, 
In  height  and  swiftness,  will  the  horse  exceed  ; 

14  Yet  lacks  the  wisdom  of  the  smaller  fowl, 
The  cooing  Turtle,  and  the  hooting  Owl  ; 

1 5  Her  orphan'd  eggs,  in  sand,  without  a  nest, 
She  leaves  expos'd  to  foot  of  man  and  beast ; 

16  In  her  hard  heart,  no  kind  affection  glows, 
She  for  her  young,  no  tender  feeling  knows  ; 
Hence  no  parental  joys  reward  her  pain, 
The  stupid  mother's  labor  is  in  vain, ; 


TRIAL  OP  VIRTUE.  3Oi 

1 7  Of  sense  deny'd,  by  Hcav'n's  decree  so  blind, 
She  ranks  the  fool  of  all  the  feather'd  kind. 

1 9  Didst  thou  the  Horse's  warlike  strength  ordain, 
Curve  his  broad  neck,   and  spread   his  thund'ring 

mane  ? 

20  Canst  thou,  with  terror,  his  fierce  heart  appal, 
And  make  him  flee  thee,  like  an  insect  small  ? 
Sulphureous  vapors  from  his  nostrils  glow, 
His  eyes  dart  fury  on  the  adverse  foe  ; 

2 1  He  champs  the  foaming  bit,  and  paws  with  rage, 
Swelling  with  fierce  impatience  to  engage  ; 

22  Hastes  to  the  bloody  field,  devoid  of  fear, 

23  Laughs  at  the  sword,  and  dares  the  deadly  spear. 
24,  5  While  the  shrill  trumpet's  clangor  rends  the  sky, 

And  drums  and  clarions  speak  the  onset  nigh  ; 

He  neighs  exulting  in  the  horrid  sound, 

And  burns  with  fierceness  to  devour  the  ground. 

26  "  Hath  thy  fam'd  wisdom  taught  the  tfatvkto  fly? 
Stretching  her  pinions  tow'rds  the  southern  sky  ; 
To  kinder  climes,  where  warmer  splendors  burn, 
Till  genial  Spring  invites  her  to  return  ? 

27  "  At  thy  command,  doth  th'  Eagle  soar  away, 
Mount  the  high  cliff,  and  ken  the  shore  for  prey  ? 

28  On  hanging  rocks,  she  builds  her  airy  dome, 

The  cloud-capt  mountain's  peak,  she  makes  her  home ; 

29  In  that  high  fortress,  rears  her  callow  brood, 
There,  whets  her  falchion-beak,  athirst  for  blood  ; 
Thence  eyes  her  victim  in  the  vale  beneath, 
And  darts,  swift  messenger  of  cruel  death, 

SO  Where  war's   dread  carnage  strews  th'  embattled 

plain 
With  slaughter'd  thousands,  heaps  of  human  slain  ; 


202  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

There  stalks  the  harpy,  eager  to  devour, 

And  there  her  young  ones,  glut  the  reeking  gor6. 


XL.         A  fiause  for  thought— all  human  fi ride  now  dead. 
When,  GOD  ALMicafr  thus  resum'd  and  said — 

"  For  thy  reply  I  wait.  How  stand  thy  thoughts  ? 
Prepar'd  to  own,  or  justify  thy  faults  ? 
Shall  he  instruct,  who  dares  with  God  contend  ? 
Let  the  reprover  now  his  cause  defend." 

3  Then  Job  confounded,  trembling  and  afraid, 
In  dust  prostrated,  to  th'  Almighty  said — 

4  "  O'erwhelm'd  with  guilt  and  shame,  I've  nought 

to  say— 
My  mouth  is  stopp'd — Oh,  teach  me  to  obey. 
5  Twice  have  I  spoken,  but  I'll  add  no  more  ; 

"  Man  was  not  made  to  censure,  but  adore.'* 
6  Then  from  the  roaring  whirlwind's  mighty  tide  ; 
The  Heav'nly  Majesty  to  Job  reply'd — 
"  Gird  now  thy  loins,  arise,  and  shew  the  man, 
Hear  my  demands,  and  well  the  subject  scan. 

8  In  censuring  all  my  works,  unsatisfy'd, 
\Vilt  thou  my  judgment  too,  now  set  aside  ? 
Speak,  swelling  worm,  aspires  thus  high  thine  aim  ? 
To  prove  thee  righteous,  wilt  thou  Me  condemn  ? 

9  Dost  think  thy  wisdom  equull'd  by  thy  strength  ? 
Whom  thou  hast  blum'd,  wilt  govern  too,  at  length  ? 
What  is  thy  might  ?  hast  thou  an  arm  like  God  ? 
Like  Him,  canst  cast  thy  thunderbolts  abroad  ? 

(4)  Gen.  xxxii.  10  Ezra  ix.  6  and  Psalm  li.  4. 

(8V  Rom.  iii  4. 

(9)  Exod.  xv.  IG.Deut.  xxxiii.  21.  and  Psalm  xxuc.  2,  3. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  203 

10  Take  then  thy  state,  assume  th'  Eternal's  throne, 
Display  thy  greatness,  and  thy  pow'r  make  known  ; 
Deck  now  thyself  with  majesty  and  light, 

Dress  thee  in  glory  and  in  beauty  bright  ; 

1 1  Then  act  the  God— thy  vengeance  hurl  around, 
Seize  on  the  rebel,  smite  him  to  the  ground  ; 

12  With  look  omniscient  search  the  sinful  race, 
Bring  down  the  proud,  the  wicked  all  abase  ; 

13  Tread  them  as  mire,  destroy  them  in  the  dust, 
And  send  thtir  guilty  souls  to  hell  accurst. 

14  Then  will  I  own  (my  high  pretensions  wave) 
That  thy  right  hand  hath  sov'reign  pow'r  to  save. 

15  u  Yet  all  the  pow'r  which  thy   proud  heart  can 

boast, 

With  brutal  strength  compar'd,  is  gone  and  lost. 
View  the  * Behemoth,  whom  with  thee  I  made. 
Like  the  tame  ox,  he  crops  the  grassy  glade. 

1 6  Firm  as  the  mountain  stands  his  pond'rous  frame, 
His  lengthen'd  spine  outvies  the  weaver's  beam  ; 

18  His  bones  as  iron,  sinews  firm  as  brass, 
Support  and  strengthen  his  gigantic  mass, 
Th'  umbelic  cord  his  deep  round  viscera  binds, 
And  oaken  muscles  plank  his  monstrous  loins  ; 

17  With  tale  erected  like  the  cedar's  height, 
He  moves  in  all  the  majesty  of  might. 

19  Of  all  the  creatures  God  hath  form'd  with  dust, 
Behemoth  ranks  in  size  and  strength,  the  first ; 

*  This  animal,  by  the  best  commentators  is  viewed  to  be  the 
Hippopotamus,  or  River-horse.     Some  however,   believe  it  the 
Elephant.  From  the  wording  of  the  19th  verse,  is  there  not  some 
plausibility  in  the  conjecture,  that  it  might  be  the  Mammoth  ? 
(10)  Psalm  xciii.  1.       (11)  Dan.  iv   37 
(12)  Matt.  xi.  23.          (13)  Mai.  iv.  1.  &.  Est.  vii.  8. 


204  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Yet  He  who  made,  can  him  with  ease  subdue, 
And  cause  his  sword  to  pierce  the  monster  through. 

20       "  The  fertile  mountain  yields  him  food  to  eat, 
Where  smaller  cattle  and  wild  beasts  retreat ; 
Fearless,  around  him,  lead  their  sportive  way, 
While  the  grim  monarch  smiles  to  see  them  play. 
21,22      "  At  sultry  noon,  he  seeks  the  cooling  breeze, 
Beneath  the  covert  of  the  shady  trees  ; 
Or  in  lone  vallies,  mid  the  murky  glens, 
'Mong  the  wild  herbage  of  the  reeds  and  fens, 
By  stagnant  pools,  where  weeping  willows  wrap, 
Rests  his  huge  form,  and  takes  a  pleasing  nap. 

£3       "  Behold  him  next,  with  raging  thirst  oppress'cl, 
Sink  the  deep  river,  as  he  fills  his  chest  : 
The  floods  roll  down  the  vortex  of  his  throat  ; 

24  And  still  he  thirsts  and  drinks. — With  piercing  snout, 
He  careless  breaks  through  snares  of  human  craft, 
And  mouths  to  take  all  Jordan  at  a  draught. 

JLXI.    "  Cast  now  thine  eyes  on  giants  of  the  deep 

One  may  suffice — on  him  attention  keep. 

Canst  thou  Leviathan,  draw  out  with  hook, 

Like  the  small  trout,  thou  anglest  from  the  brook  ? 

2  With  cord  let  down,  extract  his  tongue,  in  scorn, 
And  bore  his  jaw  thro'  with  a  pointed  thorn  ? 

3  With  words  of  friendship,  tender,  soft  and  sweet, 
Will  he  submit,  and  for  thy  gjrace  intreat  ? 
Make  many  pray'rs  t'  implore  a  kind  reprieve, 
And  beg  for  mercy,  that  he  still  may  live  ? 

4  For  this  high  boon,  will  he  a  cov'nant  sign, 
To  be  thy  faithful  slave  ?  for  ever  thine  ? 

5  Or  wilt  thou  bind  him  with  a  thread  of  tow, 
And  cage  him  like  a  bird,  for  raree-show  ; 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  203 

A  pretty  toy,  to  learn  thy  babes  to  play, 

And  sport  thy  maidens,  on  a  holiday  ? 
«  Or,  will  it  better  suit  thy  gen'rous  -wish, 

Should'st  thou  collate  him,  as  a  dainty  dish  ; 

Serv'd  for  a  banquet  to  thy  social  friends, 

Who'll  praise  thy  bounty,  'till  their  supper  ends  ? 

Perhaps  not  so,  should  selfish  feelings  rise  ; 

On  Mammon's  altar  wilt  thou  sacrifice  ? 

Cause  him  exported  to  a  foreign  shore, 

For  the  rich  merchandize  of  golden  ore  ? 
V       "  Canst  thou  with  iron  weapons  strike  him  dead  ? 

With  barbed  fish-spears  fill  his  flinty  head  ? 

8  Tempt  not  the  war,  nor  try  thy  feeble  pov/'r, 
Lay  but  thy  hand  upon  him — do  no  more. 

9  'Tis  vain  to  hope,  fool-hardy  to  presume  ; 

The  wretch  who  ventures,  hastens  to  his  doom. 

10  His  very  look  brings  terror  and  defeat, 

The  strong  must  tremble,  and  the  bold  retreat ; 
The  stoutest  hearted  all  abandon  hope, 
None  dares  provoke,  nor  even  wake  him  up. 

"  Wrho  then  shall  dare — what  child  of  mortal  birth, 
With  me  contend — the  King  of  Heav'n  and  Earth  ? 
Whose  strength  avail  him,  in  th'  unequal  strife, 
T'  oppose  the  vengeance  of  the  Lord  of  Life  ? 

i  1        "  Who  from  his  stores  to  me  first  gave  away  ? 
The  debt  I'll  cancel,  and  with  int'rest  pay. 
The  miser  and  his  hoard,  my  hands  have  wrought, 
I  gave  thee  being,  Job — I  owe  thee  not — 
The  world  is  mine — its  silver  and  its  gold, 
Mine  by  creation,  and  I  claim  the  whole. 

121  form'd  Leviathan,  I  know  him  well  ; 

His  strength  I  know  ;  his  beauteous  form  can  tell ; 
S 


*06  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Proportion'd  by  the  most  exquisite  art, 
His  shape  majestic,  comely  ev'ry  part. 

1 3  "  Wh6  can  his  dwelling  in  the  depth  explore, 
And  lay  him  naked  on  the  sunny  shore  ? 

Or  who  attempt,  with  double-bridle  rein, 

To  tame  his  fierceness,  or  his  course  restrain  ? 

14  What  son  of  man,  what  giant  of  thy  race, 
Can  ope  the  portals  of  his  grisly  face  ; 
Where  his  sharp  teeth,  in  awful  circuits  rise, 
Grinning  tremendous  to  th'  astonish 'd  eyes  ? 

1 5  "  Scales  are  his  pride,  thence  ev'ry  danger's  dar'd> 
A  coat  of  mail,  impenetrably  hard, 

16  Condens'd  and  welded,  and  so  firmly  join'd, 
That  subtile  air  can  no  admission  find  ; 

17  Nor  keenest  edge  of  steel,  nor  strength,  nor  art, 
Can  fleece  his  scales,  or  them  asunder  part. 

18  "  The  monster  sneezes,  and  his  nasal  steam 
Shoots  a  bright  radiance,  like  the  northern  gleam  ; 
His -glovdng  eye-balls,  glist'ning  to  the  sight, 
Ope  like  the  eye-lids  of  the  morning  light 

19  Lamps  from  his  mouth,  and  sparks  of  fire  leap  out, 

20  And  smoke  his  nostrils,  like  a  seething  pot 

2 1  His  breath  he  puffs,  as  bellows  to  the  coals, 
And  the  hot  tide  of  flames  before  him  rolls. 

22  He  moves  terrific  his  extended  length, 

And  his  huge  neck,  the  native  seat  of  strength  : 
Wi-.li  death  his  errand — all  he  finds,  destroys, 
And  others'  sorrows,  are  his  sweetest  joys. 

23  His  flakes  of  flesh,  incrusted  with  a  shield, 
Firmly  cemented,  to  no  force  will  yield, 

24  His  savage  heart  is  as  the  millstone,  hard  j 
He  knows  no  pity,  and  he  never  fear'd. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  207 

25  "  When  from  the  deep,  he  rears  aloft  his  head, 
He  heaves  the  Ocean  from  its  lowest  bed  ; 

Bold  sailors  fear,  the  wave  their  heart  appals, 
And  each  on  God,  for  saving  mercy,  calls. 

26  The  blow  that  smites  him,  beats  upon  a  rock, 
The  sword  is  shiver'd,  and  the  spear  is  broke  ; 

27  The  deadliest  weapons  are  by  him  withstood, 
Iron  is  straw,  and  brass  but  rotten  wood  ; 

28,  9  Arrows  and  darts,  like  gnats  are   shaken  off, 

And  spears,  and  sling-stones,  but  excite  his  scoff  ; 

30  Bright,  fractur'd  arms  beneath  his  weight  are  spread, 
And  pointed  flint-stones  pave  his  oozy  bed. 

31  "  When  down  the  deep  he  sinks  his  pond'rous  size, 
The  froth  and  bubbles  to  the  surface  rise  ; 

The  whit'ning  wave,  like  boiling  ointment's  seen, 
And  circling  eddies  tell  "  where  death  has  been"-— 

32  A  shining  furrow  marks  his  awful  way, 
And,  like  a  meteor,  makes  old  Ocean  grey. 

33  On  earth  there's  none  which  may  with  him  compare, 
Form'd  of  the  dust,  and  yet  devoid  of  fear, 

34  He  spurns  the  great,  their  strength  cornbin'd  dis 

dains, 
And  o'er  the  sons  of  pride,  despotic  reigns. 

XLII.     Th'   Almighty  ceas'd — not  so  their    trembling 

fears,  / 

The  awful  words  still  sounded  in  their  ears. 

(Verse  25.)  When  be  raiseth  up  himself,  the  mighty  are  afraid. 
— by  reason  oj  breakings,  they  purify  themselves. 

This  perhaps  may  be  explained  by  a  parallel  passage  in  Jonah 
i.  5,  6.  "  Then  the  mariners  were  afraid,  and  cried  every  man 

unto  his  God arise,  call  upon  thy  God,  if  so  be  that  God  will 

think  upon  us,  that  we  perish  not." 


:os  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

When  convict  Job,  with  guilt  and  shame  oppress'*!, 
Thus  to  the  Lord,  his  humble  pray'r  address'd. 
2 — .6       "  O  mighty  God,  before  thy  feet  I  bow, 
And  clearly  view  thy  glorious  justice,  now. 
Thy  povv'r  omnipotent,  with  ease,  effects 
Whate'er  thy  wise  and  holy  will  directs  ; 
No  strength  so  mighty,  can  thy  hand  restrain, 
No  subtle  craft,  thy  purpose  render  vain. 
Ah  me  !  aspiring  worm  !  how  great  my  wrong  t 
What  language  have  I  utter'd  with  my  tongue  ! 
How  in  the  hour  of  proud,  and  untaught  zeal, 
Thy  counsel  darken'd,  and  oppos'd  thy  will  ; 
Rashly  attempting,  but  in  vain,  to  show 
Things,  wrong  to  speak,  too  high  for  me  to  know  ! 
Vain  was  the  knowledge,  then,  that  puff'd  my  mind. 
My  head  instructed,  while  my  heart  was  blind. 
But,  rent  the  veil,  from  darkening  pride  set  free, 
Thy  glory  now,  in  clearest  light  I  see  ; 
With  deep  repentance,  thence,  and  heart-felt  shame, 
In  ashes  loathe,  in  dust  myself  condemn  ; 
With  flowing  tears,  thy  parcTning  mercy  crave  ; 
Thou  canst  destroy,  and  thou  alone  canst  save. 
Forgive  my  follies,  hear  me,  I  entreat, 
Illume  my  darkness,  guide  my  wand'ring  feet ; — 
My  worth  and  wisdom,  I  to  thee  resign, 
And  my  whole  self,  henceforth,  for  ever  thine." 
7       Now  when  th'  Almighty  thus  had  Job  address'd,. 
And  he  to  God,  his  sins  with  grief  confess'd  ; 

(2)  Gen.  xviii:  14.  and  Psalm  cxxxix.  1. 

(3)  1  Tim.  i.  7.  (5)  Isaiah  Iv.  3. 
£G)  Isaiah  Iviii.  5,        (7)  Isaiah  xl.  1,  2. 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  20f 

Then  next  to  Eliphaz,  a  trembling  mute, 
The  Highest  turns,  and  ends  the  long  dispute. 

"  Parent  of  Teman  hear,  and  know  thy  blame  ; 
And  you,  Bildad  and  Zophar,  hear  the  same  ; 
You've  each  offended,  each  my  wrath  incurr'd, 
Fear  my  stern  justice,  tremble  at  my  word. 
False  were  your  speeches  ;  fir'd  by  ign'rant  zeal, 
You  spake  presumptuous,  and  oppos'd  my  Avill ; 
Mistook  my  counsel,  strove  to  lessen  down 
My  grace  and  patience  level  with  your  own. 
Not  so  my  servant  Job,  whom  ye  withstood, 
For  truth  he  argu'd,  and  his  cause  was  good. 
8  Seek  then  for  mercy,  to  the  work  arise, 

Your  crimes  atone,  by  costly  sacrifice  ; 

But  first,  to  Job,  with  penitence  confess, 

His  friendship  seek,  your  cruel  wrongs  redress  ; 

Then  from  the  herds,  take  rams  and  bullocks  sev'o, 

And  offer  up  your  holocaust  to  Heav'n. 

My  servant  Job,  I  constitute  your  priest, 

T'  approach  my  altar,  burn  the  bleeding  beast  ; 

(Verse  8.)          •  and  go  to  my  servant  yob > 

Our  blessed  Saviour  instructs  and  directs  his  disciples,  "  It' 
when  them  bringest  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  thou  rememberest  that 
thy  brother  hath  ought  against  thee  ;  leave  there  thy  gift,  and  go, 
first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come  and  offer  thy 
gift."  This  passage  in  Job  is  exactly  parallel,  and  directs  to  the 
same  duty.  Job  had  ought  against  his  three  friends — they  had 
injured  and  grievously  abused  him  ;  and  God  would  not  accept 
their  sacrifice,  till  they  had  first  rectified  their  wrong  towards 
their  fellow-creature.  This  is  the  uniform  instruction  of  the  ho- 
ly  scriptures,  both  of  the  Old  Testament  and  New,  that  while  w* 
live  in  any  allowed  injustice  to  our  fellow  oa«n,  Cod  will  not 
accept  our  sacrifices,  nor  hear  our  prayers. 
S"S 


'210  TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE. 

Him  will  I  hear,  his  off'ring  I'll  receive, 
And  grant  you  mercy,  that  your  souls  may  live  ; 
Lest  justice  smite  you,  and  your  crimes  requite, 
Cast  out  and  banish'd  from  my  holy  sight." 
9       They  heard  submissive,  and  at  once  obey'd — 
Job  pray'd  and  offer'd,  as  the  Lord  had  said, 
Was  heard  and  answer'd  for  himself  and  friends^ 
And  God  most  gracious,  his  salvation  sends. 

10  Propitious  Heav'n  restores  his  captive  state, 
Bright  health  returns,  and  joys  around  him  wait ; 
Shines  his  old  age,  in  fairest  youthful  bloom, 
And  morning  beams  his  ev'ning-life  relume  ; 
While  bounteous  Providence  now  swells  his  store, 
With  twice  the  riches,  he  possess'd  before. 

1 1  His  brethren,  sisters,  friends  around  him  meet, 
And  pour  their  gratulations,  kind  and  sweet ; 
Bemoan  his  suft''rings, — and,  with  thankful  voice. 
In  his  returning  happiness  rejoice. 

In  acts  of  kindness,  each  one  vies  to  prove 
His  tender  pity  and  unfeigned  love  ; 
With  lib'ral  hands,  their  treasures  all  unfold, 
And  offer  gifts  of  jewels,  rings  and  gold. 
J2       Refin'd  his  virtues— quicken'd  ev'ry  grace, 
Superior  blessings  crown  his  ev'ning  days. 
Dry'd  are  his  tears,  his  sighs  and  sorrows  cease, 
His  wealth  flows  in  unbounded  as  the  seas  j 
Nature  and  grace  conspire  to  make  him  blest, 
And  his  clear  sun  shines  brightest  in  the  West. 

(10)  Prov.  xxii.  4.  (11)  Chap.  xix.  13.  &xxx.  1. 

(12)  Chap.  i.  2.  viii.  7.Ps.  cxix.  71.  Matt.  xix.  29.'  1  Tim.  vi.  17- 


TRIAL  OF  VIRTUE.  211 

His  fleecy'  Sheep,  now  fourteen  thousand  are, 
For  him  six  thousand  Camels,  burdens  bear, 
For  him,  the  fields,  two  thousand  Oxen  till, 
His  harvests  rear,  his  barns  with  plenty  fill ; 
For  him  a  thousand  Asses  teem  with  young, 
And  feed  and  bray  the  rugged  cliffs  among  : — 
Of  his  domestic  servants,  large  the  train, 
Who  ply  his  labor,  thro'  the  spacious  plain. 

13  Sev'n  hopeful  Sons,  and  beauteous  Daughters  three, 
Again  compose  his  smiling  family, 

14  Jemima,  Kerenhafi finch  and  J^ezia, 

Each  form'd  to  please,  and  waken  chaste  desire  ; 

15  For  beauty  fam'd,  throughout  the  region  round, 
And  none  so  fair  in  all  the  East  were  found  ; — 
These  lovely  daughters,  with  their  brethren  shar'd 
Their  father's  wealth  ;  to  him  no  less  endear'd. 

1 6  Thus  blest  with  peace,  and  free  from  cares  and 

strife, 

Job's  days  roll'd  smoothly  down  the  stream  of  life  ; 
Secure  and  happy  in  the  plenty  giv'n, 
Approving  conscience,  and  the  smiles  of  Heav'n  ; 
Twice,  three-score  years  and  ten,  beyond  this  date, 
His  Maker  added  to  his  mortal  state  ; 
His  children's  children  to  the  fourth  degree, 
He  saw,  embrac'd,  and  dandled  on  his  knee  ; 

17  Till,  fill'd  with  days,  and  ev'ry  good  desir'd, 
Thrice  happy  Job,  in  peaceful  death  expir'd  ; 
Pattern  of  Patience,  proof  ofHeav'nly  grace, 
The  boast,  the  glory  of  his  fallen  race. 

(16)  Chap,  v-  26.  Prov.  iii.  16.  Gen.  1.  23.  Psalm  cxxviii.  6. 
and  Gen.  xxv.  8, 


APPENDIX. 


A  DISSERTATION  ON  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB. 


HE  history  of  Job,  though  exhibiting  the  most 
illustrious  example  of  human  patience  and  divine  faith 
fulness,  is  yet  involved  in  greater  obscurity,  than  that 
of  any  other  scripture  character,  whose  life  and  virtues 
are  delineated,  as  a  source  of  moral  instruction.  Who 
was  Job  ? — of.  whom  descended  ?  when  and  where  liv 
ed  ?  and  by  whom  was  his  history  written  ?  are  ques 
tions,  which  for  ages  have  amused,  puzzled  and  divided 
the  learned  ;  and,  perhaps,  after  all,  no  essential  ad 
vance  has  been  made  in  the  knowledge  of  these  facts  ; 
and  all  that  we  have  to  decide,  with  respect  to  the  vari 
ous  opinions,  is,  which  Js  the  most  ingenious  and  prob 
able  conjecture,  and  liable  to  the  fewest  objections.  The 
history  of  Job  is  so  entirely  insulated — a  subject  of 
such  very  remote  antiquity — inserted  among  the  Sa 
cred  Books  without  any  regard  to  its  chronological  or- 


314  APPENDIX. 

der,  and  so  thinly  scattered  are  the  rays  of  historic  light 
in  the  book  of  Genesis,  the  only  authentic  evidence  to 
which  we  can  resort ;  that  few  and  obscure  indeed,  are 
the  data  given  us  for  investigation.  In  these  particu 
lars,  Divine  wisdom  hath  not  seen  fit  to  give  full  satis 
faction  to  human  curiosity.  From  the  restless  impa 
tience  some  feel  under  this  ignorance,  they  attempt  to 
cut  the  knot  at  a  stroke  ;  and,  to  obviate  all  difficulties 
and  doubts,  will  give  up  the  whole  at  once.— The  book 
is  a  mere  fable  say  they — an  ingenious  fiction — there 
never  was  such  a  person  as  Job — the  events  recorded  in 
his  history  are  fabricated,  but  to  combine  pleasing  en 
tertainment  with  moral  instruction  ;  and  then  dignify 
the  whole  with  the  specious  title  of  a  Scripture  Parable. 
This  is  truly  a  short  way  of  removing  difficulties  ;  and 
might  be  received,  but  only  for  that  it  removes  smaller 
difficulties  to  make  room  for  greater.  This  theory, 
however  plausible,  cannot  be  admitted.  It  would  be 
degrading  the  Book  down  to  a  Novel  or  Romance,  and 
stripping  it  at  once  of  its  most  important  properties. 
If  it  be  a  scripture  parable,  it  is  indeed  sui  generis, 
and  the  most  extraordinary  one  extant.  Parables,  by 
substituting  fictions  for  facts,  are  never  designed  to  im 
pose  on  and  mislead  human  credulity,  with  respect  to 
facts.  Where  is  there  one,  drawn  out  with  such  histo 
ric  minuteness,  and  dressed  in  such  a  variety  of  charac 
ters  and  incidents,  as  this  ?  Where  was  the  necessity  of 
enumerating  the  flocks  and  herds  of  Job,  the  number 
of  his  children,  and  the  very  names  of  his  daughters  ? 
It  may  be  confidently  asserted  that  there  is  not  a  para 
ble  in  the  sacred  scriptures,  which  even  affects  the  air 


APPENDIX.  21s 

of  history — none,  but  what  are  either  expressly  styled 
parables,  or,  by  necessary  implication,  are  evidently 
such.  For  instance,  can  any  one  be  misled  in  reading 
Jotham's  parable  of  the  trees,  or  Ezekiel's  vision  of  the 
valley  of  dfiy  bones  ? — But  this  is  not  all.  The  suppo 
sition  is  not  only  inconsistent  with  itself,  but  with  certain 
declarations  of  Scripture,  both  in  the  Old  and  New  Tes 
taments.  God,  by  the  prophet  Ezekiel,  Chap.  xiv.  14. 
declares,  respecting  the  judgments  denounced  against 
Jerusalem,  "  though  these  three  men,  Noah,  Daniel 
and  Jobj  were  in  it,  they  shall  deliver  but  their  own 
souls."  Would  it  not  be  ludicrous  in  the  extreme,  to 
suppose  this  solemn  declaration  to  be  a  mixture  of  his 
tory  and  fable  ;  or  that  all  the  persons  here  mentioned 
were  not  real  characters,  who  had  lived  and  acted  parts 
upon  the  stage  of  life  ?  Would  any  one  in  his  senses, 
when  enumerating  the  great  characters  of  the  last  centu 
ry  bring  Sir  Charles  Grandison  into  the  list  with  Edwards 
and  Washington  ?  And  shall  we  impute  such  folly  to 
Divine  Wisdom  ? — Furthermore, 

The  Apostle  James,  (Chafi.  v.  10,  U.)  recognizes  and 
[expressly  mentions  Job  as  a  real  character,  and   cites 
|lum  as  an  example  of  patience.     "  Take,  my  brethren, 
:he  prophets,  who  have  spoken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
Tor  an  example  of  suffering  affliction,  and  of  patience, 
pehold  we  count  them  happy  which  endure.     Ye  have 
heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have  seen  the  end  of 
Jhe  Lord  ;  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful  and  of  tender 
mercy."     Here,  Job  is  particularized  from  among  all 
[he  prophets  and   saints  of  the  Old  Testament,  as  an 


216  APPENDIX. 

example  of  suffering  affliction,  and  patience.  But  what 
propriety  in  thus  mentioning  the  name  of  Job,  had  he 
been  but  a  fictitious  character  ?  The  exhortation  of 
the  apostle  would  have  appeared  in  no  better  light, 
than  that  of  a  solemn  farce  ;  and  the  great  and  princi 
pal  end  of  this  admirable  portion  of  God's  Word  be 
defeated — for  there  is  not,  nor  can  be  any  force  of  ex 
ample  attaching  to  a  fictitious  character. 

This  general  fact,  therefore,  must  be  admitted,  as 
truth,  whatever  obscurity  attends  the  historic  detail  ; 
that  Job  was  a  real  character  of  great  antiquity — and 
that  the  Book,  which  bears  his  name,  whenever,  or  by 
whomsoever  it  was  written,  is  a  part  of  the  inspired 
Canon.  In  proof  of  the  latter,  the  many  quotations 
from  it,  as  such  by  the  New  Testament  writers,  are 
alone  sufficient. 

By  the  best  authorities,  Job  is  considered,  as  a  de 
scendant  from  Esau,  and  to  have  been  contemporary 
with  the  Patriarchs.  The  probability  is,  that  he  is  the 
same  person  mentioned,  Gen.  xxxvi.  33,  under  the 
name  of  Jobab,  as  the  second  King  of  Edom,  the  success 
or  of  Bela,  and  the  son  of  .Zerah.  Zerah  was  the  son 
of  Reuel,  and  Reuel  the  son  of  Esau,  by  Bashemath. 
By  this  conjecture,  if  it  be  a  just  one,  it  appears  that 
Job  was  possessed  of  real  dignity  y — and  it  is  evident 
from  his  own  words  in  the  29th  Chapter,  that  he  was  a 
man  of  great  influence  and  authority  among  his  people. 
He  lived  in  the  land  of  Uz.  We  find  mention  made  of 
this  name  three  times  in  Genesis,  and  each  of  them  ap- 


APPENDIX.  srir 

plied  to  different  characters. — Theirs;  is  in  Chafi.  x.  23. 
vrhere  Uz  is  named  as  a  son  of  Aram,  and  grandson  of 
Shem  ; — the  second  in  Chap.,  xxii  2 1 .  as  the  son  of  Na- 
hor,  the  brother  of  Abraham — and  the  third  in  Chaji. 
xxxvi.  28.  of  the  posterity  of  Esau,  and  son  of  Dishan. 
The  Uz,  first  mentioned,  was  the  builder  of  Trachonitis, 
and  Damascus,  from  whom  the  country  was  called  Utz, 
by  the  Grecians.  Rabbi  Solomon  refers  the  name  of 
Job's  country  to  the  second  mentioned  Uz,  and  Aben, 
Ezra,  to  the  third. 

This  land  of  Uz  was  either  a  part  of,  or  adjoining  to 
Idumea.  Mention  is  made  of  this  country,  in  Jeremiah 
xxv.  20.  and  in  Lam.  iv.  21.  It  seems  to  have  been  in 
Arabia  Petrea,  because  the  Sabeans,  who  were  Arabs, 
plundered  and  drove  away  the  sheep  of  Job.  It  is  pro 
bable  that  Job  lived  in  Arabia  Deserta  ;  for,  here  were 
his  friends — here  the  travelling  Caravans,  suffering  with 
thirst,  were  disappointed  of  finding  water — to  which 
Job  alludes,  Chap.  vi.  15—20.  It  lay  bordering  upon 
the  Sabeans  of  Arabia  Felix,  and  extended  along  over 
against  the  Chaldeans.  He  dwelt  not  distant  from  the 
Nile,  for  it  seems  that  its  monsters  were  not  unknown, 
to  him.  See  Chafi.  xli.  1.  Nor  was  he  ignorant  of  the 
river  Jordan,  (xl.  23.)  Nor  is  it  an  objection  to  this 
theory,  that  he  is  styled  a  man  of  the  East  ;  whereas 
Idumea  was  to  the  South  of  the  land  of  Israel ;  for  Ara 
bia  is  very  extensive,  and  the  land  of  Uz  in  Arabia,  lay 
more  to  the  East,  than  to  the  South  of  Israel.  Besides 
we  have  reason  to  believe  that  this  was  long  before  the 
posterity  of  Jacob  had  taken  possession  of  the  promised 
f 


218  APPENDIX, 

land.  And  even  if  the  book  of  Job  had  been  written 
after  that  event,  the  writer,  in  placing  the  land  of  Uz, 
in  the  East,  might  have  had  no  reference  to  the  relative 
situation  of  any  particular  country,  but  only  to  the  gen 
eral  divisions  of  the  then  inhabited  parts  of  the  earth. 

With  this  view  of  the  history  of  Job,  let  us  now  col 
late  the  account  of  his  friends,  who  figure  so  conspicu 
ously  in  the  course  of  the  Book.  Their  names  and 
titles  are  given  in  Chaji.  ii.  11.  and  these  are  the  only 
data  afforded  in  determining  the  question,  who  they 
were.  It  seems  that  they  were  princes,  dukes,  or  men 
of  great  influence  and  respectability,  in  their  several 
nations  or  tribes.  Eliphaz  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
management  of  the  debate,  and  from  the  circumstance 
of  his  being  the  chief  speaker,  appears  to  have  been  the 
oldest,  r.nd  most  respected  for  his  wisdom  and  experi 
ence.  He  is  styled  the  Temamtn.  This  epithet  must 
be  characteristic,  either  of  his  race  and  family  descent, 
or  of  the  nation,  country  or  city  in  which  he  dwelt.—- 
He  is  thought  by  commentators  to  be  the  Etip.haz  men 
tioned  in  Genesis  xxxvi.  the  eldest  son  of  Esau  by  his 
wife  Adah,  and  the  father  of  Teman.  But  perhaps  it 
is  not  the  most  probable  conjecture,  that  he  should  de 
rive  his  title  from  the  name  of  his  son.  It  would  be 
more  natural  to  suppose  that  this  Eliphaz  was  a  son  of, 
or  descendant  from  Teman.  Another  difficulty  seems 
to  attend  the  former  supposition.  If  this  Eliphaz  Were 
the  immediate  and  eldest  son  of  Esau,  and  Job  the  great- 
grandson  by  a  younger  branch,  their  ages  as  cotempo- 
raries  would  hardly  agree.  It  is  possible,  notwitli- 


APPENDIX.  2  If 

standing  that  this  was  so,  from  the  longevity  of  man 
kind  in  that  period  of  the  world. — That  part  of  Arabia 
called  Teman  was  distinguished  for  men  of  learning  and 
celebrated  philosophers.  This  is  recognized  in  Jeremi 
ah  xlix.  7.  "  Concerning  Edom,  thus  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  is  wisdom  no  more  in  Tcman,  is  counsel  perished 
from  the  prudent,  is  their  wisdom  vanished  ?"  And  ii> 
Baruch  iii.  23.  "  The  Agarenes  that  seek  wisdom  upon 
earth,  the  merchants  of  Meran,  and  of  Theman,  the 
authors  of  fables,  and  searchers  out  of  understanding,'* 
&c. 

BILBAO,  the  Shu.fa.te  is  supposed  by  Mercerus  and 
Piscator,  to  be  so  denominated  from  Suah  the  son  of 
Abraham  and  Keturah,  (Gen.  xxv.  2.)  from  whom  he 
*vyas  descended. 

ZOPHAR,  the  Naamathite  is  supposed  to  be  the  same 
as  Zepho  the  son  of  Eliphaz,  mentioned,  Gen.  xxxvi.  1 1. 
Proper  names  in  the  Old  Testament,  being  oftentimes 
much  varied.  As  to  his  title,  it  is  uncertain  beyond  a 
conjecture,  whether  J\aama,  were  the  name  of  a  man,  or 
a  city. 

Elihu,  who  acted  as  an  umpire  in  the  debate,  after  it 
was  closed,  by  the  former  three,  was  the  youngest  of 
the  speakers.  He  is  styled  the  son  of  B:\rachel  the 
Buzite  of  the  kindred  of  Ram.  This  refers  us  to  Gen 
esis  xxii.  2  1.  where  we  find  that  Nahor  was  the  father  of 
Buz,  who,  probably,  gave  name  to  the  place,  and  of 
Kemuel  the  father  of  Aram.  But  what  nearness  of 


220  APPENDIX.  ' 

kindred  Elihu  bare  to  Aram,  or  in  what  descent  he  is  to 
be  reckoned  from  Nahor,  we  are  uncertain. 

But  who  was  the  writer  of  the  book  of  Job  ? — This 
question  opens  the  widest  field  for  vague  and  uncertain 
conjecture.  It  is  the  most  difficult  to  determine,  and, 
perhaps,  the  least  important  to  know  ;  while  its  inspi 
ration  is  unaffected  by  it,  and  established  independently 
^of  it.  No  less  than  six  different  opinions  are  given  up 
on  the  subject,  by  commentators,  with  reasons  assigned, 
in  support  of  their  several  sentiments.  It  is  assigned, 
1.  to  the  friends  of  Job — 2.  to  Solomon — 3.  to  Job  him 
self — 4.  to  Isaiah — 5.  to  Moses,  and  6.  to  Elihu.  But 
for  many  weighty  reasons,  unnecessary  to  mention,  the 
Book  is  most  generally,  and  with  the  greatest  probabil 
ity,  ascribed  to  Moses.  It  is  believed,  that  while  he 
lived  in  Midian,  vrith  his  father-in-law  Jethro,  and  led  a 
pastoral  life,  an  exile  from  his  country,  he  became  pos 
sessed  of  the  documents  of  Job's  history,  and  wrote 
this  admirable  Book  which  bears  his  name,  under  the 
influence,  and  inspiration  of  the  Divine  Spirit.  This 
is  thought  to  account  for  the  use  of  so  many  Syriac  and 
Arabic  words,  which  are  found  in  the  Book. 

The  Book  of  Job,  it  will  not  be  pretended,  is  a  plain, 
simple  narration  of  facts,  but  is  adorned  with  the  fig 
ures  and  embellishments  warranted  by  poetic  licence  ; 
the  more  deeply  to  impress  the  important  moral  instruc 
tion  it  contains — for,  it  was  all,  excepting  the  two  first, 
and  the  last  chapters,  originally  written  in  Hebrew 
verse.  The  whole  may  be  called  rai  Epidramatic  Poem. 
Th*  style  of  it  is  original,  and  beyond  imitation.  In 


APPEN?DIX.  221 

its  English  dress  it  is  poetic  prose,  full  of  the  finest 
flowers  of  rhetoric,  and  the  most  elegant  and  impressive 
figures  of  poetry.  The  address  of  Deity  is  a  master 
piece  of  the  sublime.  It  is  beyond  all  comparison,  grand 
and  majestic.  A  certain  critic  was  so  struck  with  this 
idea,  that  he  declared,  it  as  far  exceeded  every  other 
specimen  of  the  sublime,  as  a  cla/i  of  thunder  exceeds  a 
iv/iis/ier. 

«* 

The  subject  of  the  Book  is  very  instcresting  and 
solemn.  It  begins  with  a  simple  narration  of  facts,  the 
most  exquisitely  touching  to  all  the  tender  feelings  of 
the  human  heart — how,  that  the  grand  Adversary,  the 
accuser  of  the  brethren,  was  permitted,  in  the  provi 
dence  of  God,  and  for  the  trial  of  Job's  virtue,  to  har- 
rass  him  with  unparalleled  affliction,  in  the  loss  of  his 
possessions,  children  and  health — thus  as  in  a  moment, 
reduced  from  the  height  of  honor,  wealth,  power  and 
worldly  happiness,  to  the  extreme  of  indigence,  pain  and 
misery.  Every  avemie  of  suffering  seemed  to  be  open 
ed  upon  him,  and  every  circumstance  combined  to  ag 
gravate  his  wretchedness.  His  nearest  connections  de 
serted  him,  as  an  outcast—his  wife  impiously  tempted 
him  to  blaspheme  his  God  ;  and  his  special  friends  who 
came  to  visit  and  to  comfort  him,  and  from  whom  he 
might  reasonably  expect  the  tenderest  commiseration, 
proved  but  miserable  comfortesy  and  thro'  their  mista 
ken  zeal,  aggravated  his  afflictions.  Indeed,  what,  to  a  good 
man,  under  all  this  pressure  of  outward  affliction,  would 
be  more  painfully  trying,  than  to  have  his  religious  sin 
cerity  questioned  'and  denied,  even  by  his  pious  asso- 
T  2 


.222  APPENDIX. 

elates,  with  whom  he  had  ever  been  in  habljs  of  the 
most  friendly  intercourse,  accompanied  with  terms  of 
the  most  bitter  invective,  and  unfeeling  raillery  ?  Un 
der  these  circumstances,  can  we  at  all  wonder,  that  the 
infirmities  of  the  good  man,  should  be  called  into  action 
-—that  he  should  turn  from  the  bitter  cup  of  life  with 
disgust — earnestly  long  and  pray  for  death,  and  even 
curse  the  day  of  his  birth — hereby  intimating,  in  the 
"Strongest  manner,  that  nonexistence  itself,  in  compari 
son  with  his  present  Bufferings,  was  an  enviable  state  ? 
The  More  strictly  we  examine  his  situation,  the  more 
sensibly  arc  we  smitten  with  the  depth  of  his  sufferings, 
and  the  extremity  of  his  sorrows.  Yet,  in  all  this  scene 
of  distress,  under  all  the  nameless  sufferings,  both  of 
soul  and  body,  which  his  nature  could  endure,  his  inflex 
ible  virtue,  but  shone  the  brighter—Satan  was  complete 
ly  baffled,  an<«l  disappointed  in  his  hellish  design  ;  for, 
though  he  cursed  his  day,  he  never  cursed  his  God. 

The  grand  point  in  debate  between  Job  and  his 
friends,  was  respecting  the  Providence  of  God — wheth 
er  the  moral  characters  of  men  were  designated  in  the 
present  state  by  the  outward  dispensations  of  Provi 
dence.  They  took  the  affirmative,  and  he,  the  nega 
tive  side  of  the  question.  They  argued  in  alternate 
speeches,  and  growing  warm  in  debate,  scrupled  not 
to  declare  him  an  arrant  hypocrite,  secretly  guilty  of 
the  most  atrocious  crimes — that  the  judgments  of  hea 
ven  had  now  overtaken  him,  stripped  off  his  mask,  and 
openly  exposed  him  as  the  most  wicked  impostor. 
They  labored,  with  much  unfeeling  perseverance,  tho' 


APPENDIX.  22C 

perhaps,  from  the  persuasion  of  duty,  to  bring  him  to 
a  conviction  and  acknowledgment  of  this  odious  char« 
acter  ;  and  in  their  alternate  speeches,  setting  forth  the 
awful  judgments  of  God  upon  the  hypocrite,  artfully 
copied  the  likeness  of  Job. 

Job,  on  the  other  hand,  contended,  that  the  present 
state  was  not  a  state  of  rewards  and  punishments,  but 
of  trial— that  no  designation  of  moral  character  was 
made,  in  Providence,  between  the  sinner  and  the  saint ; 
— that  however  the  latter  might  suffer,  or  the  former 
enjoy,  no  evidence  was  given  of  divine  dereliction  of 
the  one,  nor  of  divine  approbation  of  the  other — that 
though  God  corrected  mankind  for  their  iniquities, 
yet  he  acted  as  a  holy  Sovereign  in  the  disposal  of  his 
chastisements.  Hence,  he  averred  his  uprightness — • 
maintained  his  integrity  to  the  last — and,  repelling  all 
the  scandalous  charges  of  his  friends,  closed  with  a  so 
lemn  appeal  to  God,  fervently  imploring  the  divine  in 
terposition  and  decision.  So  forcible  were  his  argu 
ments,  and  so  pungent  his  address,  that  his  friends 
were  confuted  and  silenced.  The  conference  closed, 
and  a  sullen  pause  ensued,  when  Elihu,  a  youthful  by 
stander,  who  had  diligently  attended  through  the  whole 
discourse,  takes  up  the  subject  with  great  engagedness, 
though  with  many  apologies  for  his  intrusion.  He  act 
ed  as  a  kind  of  umpire  between  the  parties — lays  blame 
to  both — censures  the  friends,  because  they  could  find 
nothing  further  to  answer,  and  by  their  silence  owned 
themselves  confuted  ;  and  reproves  Job,  with  severity 
for  his  restiveness  under  the  divine  dealings,  and  for 


224  APPENDIX. 

some  of  his  words  which  savored  too  strongly  of  rash 
ness  and  arrogancy.  He  argues  the  justice  of  God 
from  his  other  perfections,  and  his  wonderful  works, 
and  from  his  greatness  and  majesty.  He  enforces  the 
duty  of  unconditional  submission  to  his  will.  By  his 
address,  it  is  probable,  that  the  warmth  of  both  parties 
was  abated,  to  the  temper  of  sober  reflection. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  heavens  were  darkened  with 
clouds,  a  sudden  and  tremendous  thunder-storm  arises, 
and  adds  inexpressible  solemnity  to  the  scene.  This 
prepared  the  way  for  the  grand  catastrophe  which  fol 
lowed.  Elihu  closed.  A  sudden  and  portentous  whirl 
wind  sprang  up,  and  God  himself  addresses  Job,  with 
awful,  indescribable  majesty.  In  a  series  of  humbling 
interrogations,  the  appropriate  language  of  majesty  in 
censed,  the  Most  High  displays  the  greatness,  power, 
variety  and  wisdom  of  his  works  ;  and  gives  Job  the 
most  humiliating  views  of  his  own  weakness,  insignifi 
cance  and  folly.  Job  is  filled  with  deep  repentance,  and 
acknowledges  his  guilt,  and  prostrates  himself  an  hum 
ble  supplicant  at  the  feet  of  Jehovah. 

The  address  of  the  Deity  next  turns  to  Eliphaz  and 
his  associates,  who  were  reproved  for  their  ignorant 
misrepresentation  of  the  Divine  Providence.  They  are 
dii'ected  to  offer  sacrifice  for  their  sin,  and  Job  appoint 
ed,  to  the  honorable  office  of  interceding  for  them. 

The  scene  is  now  reversed.  God  hears  the  prayers 
of  Job  for  his  friends,  and  restores  him  from  the  cap- 


APPENDIX. 

tivity  of  his  afflictions.  Thus  Satan  was  baffled— -the 
nature  of  his  virtue  exemplified — the  divine  glory  man 
ifested,  and  Job  comes  forth  out  of  affliction  refined  and 
purified  as  gold  which  hath  passed  the  furnace.  His 
sorrow  is  turned  into  joy— -his  mourning- into  festivity— 
every  circumstance  wears  a  pleasing  aspect,  and  to 
gether,  form  a  bright  contrast  to  his  former  afflicted 
state.  His  friends  and  kindred  encircle  him  with  ten 
der  congratulations,  and  vie  with  each  other,  in  acts  of 
liberality  and  kindness.  Prosperity  returns  to  him, 
with  a  twofold  increase  of  his  former  wealth.  The 
same  number  of  children  are  given  him,  and  a  hundred 
and  forty  years  added  to  his  days.  Thus  smoothly 
rolled  away  his  evening  of  life,  in  tranquillity  and  peace, 
till  he  closed  his  earthly  course  in  a  good  old  age,  full  of 
days,  riches  and  honors. 

Such  is  the  admirable  structure  of  this  wonderful 
Book.  It  begins  with  a  relation  of  events  the  most 
nearly  affecting  our  tenderest  sympathies — as  it  pro 
ceeds,  it  interests  and  engages  us  by  the  gravity  and 
importance  of  its  subject,  until  we  are  anxious  for  its 
issue  ;  and  then,  by  an  unexpected  change  dissipates 
the  gloom  it  had  spread  over  our  minds,  and  con 
cludes  with  ushering  in  a  scene  which  fills  us  with 
joy  and  rapture.  The  whole  forms  a  solemn  climax, 
beginning  very  tenderly  and  feelingly — as  it  proceeds, 
becomes  more  grave  and  solemn,  till  it  assumes  an  in 
expressible  majesty  and  grandeur,  and  then,  by  a  sud 
den  reverse,  banishes  our  anxiety  and  grief,  and  fills 
us  with  pleasure  and  delight. 


APPENDIX. 

If  this  be  the  origin  and  plan  of  the  book,  or  poem, 
if  we  peruse  it  according  to  its  native  form,  considering 
the  depth  of  its  subjects,  the  unsearchable  ways  of  God, 
in  his  works,  and  the  solemnity  of  the  style  ;  observing 
also,  that  the  speakers  sometimes  digress,  that,  by  am 
plifying,  they  may  exhibit  the  subject  to  greater  advan 
tage  ;  why  is  not  the  instruction  of  the  book  of  Job 
as  intelligible  as  that  of  any  other  part  of  the  inspired 
•writings  ?  How  emphatically  does  it  impress  on  our 
minds  the  observation  of  the  apostle  already  referred 
to  ;  "  Ye  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have 
seen  the  end  of  the  Lord  ;  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful 
and  of  tender  mercy." 


FINIS. 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last 
date  stamped  below 


D 

m 


\mm 

m 


MAY  2  s  1932 


•'.lOwi-ll,  '50(2555)470 


3  1158  00808  6562 


PS 

2236 

LU976t 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A  A      000034511    6 


